Hayden looks to reload after three straight state championship appearances

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Hayden Wildcats don't rebuild; they reload.

Hayden has made three consecutive appearances in the state championship game, establishing themselves as one of the most consistent high school football programs in Kansas.

If the Wildcats are going to make another deep postseason run in 2026, however, they’ll have to do it with plenty of new faces.

Hayden enters the season with less than a handful of returning starters.

The Wildcats are emphasizing the small things as the big things.

"We have to cross the T's and dot the I's. We're not going to change a lot of stuff," head coach Bill Arnold told 27 Sports. "If this group is going to be successful, they have to be patient early on and hit their stride when it's time for districts."

"This group is working hard and showing up," senior defensive/offensive tackle Jack Amos added. "We've been watching a lot of film to see the potential of where our guys can go. Coach (Arnold) has done a great job seeing where we need to go.

While much of the roster may be different, Hayden also has plenty of motivation from how last season ended.

The Wildcats once again reached the state championship game but came up short, a loss that will stick with them entering the season.

"Seeing it over and over again for those seniors crying and not having that title they dreamed of their whole lives is horrible," senior defensive/offensive tackle Nate Leeper told 27 Sports. "It's not going to be given to us and we learned that last year. That moment made us train even harder."

Hayden opens the season at home on Sept. 4 as Eudora comes to town.

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