St James & Arkansas City: Top Performers from State Championship

HUTCHINSON—[player_tooltip player_id="49700" first="LaJames" last="White"] did everything for the St. James Academy as he led the Thunder to a 56-34 win over Arkansas City High School on Friday’s Class 4A State Championship. This will be the Thunder’s first state title win since 2013 and will finish the season with a 7-4 record. White, who has received multiple offers from junior college like Highland, to Division II offers Emporia State and Washburn University.  After rushing for 269 yards and five touchdowns over the Bulldogs, it wouldn’t be a surprise if more schools holler at the Piper transfer after his performance. Also on defense, he added five tackles and an interception for the Thunder. This season, White has rushed for 1,513 yards (26 TDs), 585 receiving yards (6TDs), over 40 tackles, and three interceptions according to "Sports in Kansas." Both teams produced a combined 907 yards of offense. The Thunder was on the board first after a 36-yard touchdown pass to [player_tooltip player_id="35590" first="Tyler" last="Claiborn"] from quarterback Dakota Burritt.  Ark. City answered back with a rushing short-yard rushing touchdown by Wyatt Bahm, who would also breakout with 143 yards and three touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Both teams kept exchanging points, but the Thunder had the edge as they led 35-21 at halftime. The Thunder took off in the third quarter with 21 unanswered points. That included an 83-yard burst from White, which gave SJA a 49-21 lead. The Bulldogs kept fighting in the fourth quarter. Devon Watkins connected with Hayden O’Toole with two deep-ball touchdown passes. But it was not enough to catch up with the Thunder. Ark. City’s Cinderella run has come to end, finishing the year with a 6-7 record. Despite the loss, the future remains bright for the Bulldogs as they return the majority of their starters next year. Ark. City could be the team to beat in the Class 4A West. <strong>Top Performers</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49700" first="LaJames" last="White"], St. James Academy</strong> White made a name for himself on Friday after his 269-yard and five-touchdown performance.  The senior, who is listed at 5’9 175 pounds, showed his elusiveness and breakaway speed. He does have a 4.46 speed and showed it on Friday night when he exploded with an 83-yard run in the third quarter. <strong>Dakota Burritt, St. James Academy</strong> Burritt finished the day completing 10 of his 17 passes for 249 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also added one rushing touchdown for St. James. The senior quarterback will finish his career by throwing for 2,832 yards and 29 touchdowns. Listed a 6-foot-1 178 pounds, his size might not be appealing, however, his poise and arm strength make up for it. <strong>Wyatt Bahm, Arkansas City </strong> On the Ark. City’s side, Bahm has starting to emerge as the breakout star for the Bulldogs. In back-to-back games, the sophomore has rushed for over 100 yards and has continued to be a difference-maker for the Bulldogs for years to come. Bahm has the knack for running downhill and reading the holes his linemen give him. Once he finds an open hole, there’s no stopping him. The running game all year was a struggle but has improved every Friday for Ark. City. <strong>Hayden O’Toole, Arkansas City </strong> O’Toole went out in a bang at wide receiver as he recorded 29 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns, a career-high. On Friday, O’Toole caught a pair of deep balls, which includes a 52-yard bomb in the fourth quarter.  O’Toole was the dependable wide receiver and will surely be missed next year as he will focus on playing baseball for Cowley County Community College.