Team Preview: Hayden Has State Title Game Aspirations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is nothing flashy about the Hayden Wildcat Program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats almost always field winning teams, and they play tough-nose football in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden finished 11-2 last season and was the state runner-up in Class 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They return 12 starters and have a talented senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is my second team preview for the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can follow the link below if you missed the team preview for the Basehor-Linwood Bobcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden will open its season with a home game against Eudora in Topeka on September 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at five ranked athletes from Hayden, all of whom are returning starters on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113404' first='Kade' last='Mitchell'],</strong> ATH, 5'10”, 175</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell is the highest-ranked Wildcat at No. 58 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. He can beat teams with his speed and agility, as well as his hands. Last season, he rushed for 800-plus yards and 26 touchdowns. Out of backfield, he made 34 catches for 542 yards. He scored 18 rushing touchdowns and grabbed five touchdown receptions. He also returns as a defensive starter. Hayden uses multiple running backs in its offense, but Mitchell is expected to be the focal point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402155' first='Jude' last='Krentz'],</strong> LB, 5'10”, 200</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Krentz is ranked No. 96 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He will be the defensive catalyst for the Wildcats. During his junior campaign, he recorded 132 total tackles. He also registered one forced fumble and one pass breakup. He carried the ball 21 times for 128 yards and five touchdowns. He has excellent speed and plays with the gritty mentality that permeates Hayden's program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401677' first='Connor' last='Hanika'],</strong> ATH, 6'5”, 190</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hanika is ranked No. 106 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas.  He will be expected to step into a larger role in the Wildcats' passing game. Last season, he caught 24 balls for 267 yards. The Wildcats lost their top two leaders in receptions, so Hanika has some shoes to fill. He is a rangy target who can exploit defenses in the red zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114755' first='Xander' last='Blasing'],</strong> LB, 6'2”, 225</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blasing is ranked No. 201 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He is a speedy outside linebacker who can wreak havoc on running backs and quarterbacks. He finished his junior season with 67 tackles. Nine of those resulted in lost yardage. He has a nose for the football as he forced two fumbles and made two interceptions last fall. He has the size and speed to make a defensive switch to defensive end or safety, depending on a college program's defensive scheme.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1264514' first='Jackson' last='McGivern'],</strong> LB, 6'0”, 200</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGivern is ranked No. 342 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. McGivern is a two-way player for Hayden. Offensively, he rushed for 283 yards on 52 carries as a junior. He is primarily a guy who will hurt you between the tackles. He also returns as a starting linebacker, playing solidly against both the run and the pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1264513' first='Logan' last='Saenz'],</strong> LB, 6'2”, 195</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wrapping up this report is Hayden's defensive stalwart, Saenz. He is ranked No. 298 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He has a football pedigree and loves to hit ball carriers. He can play linebacker or as a defensive back, based on the needs of the defensive coordinator.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->