The Chieftains (1-4, 1-2 Kaw Valley League) trailed the Cyclones (0-5, 0-3) by four points entering the final period. Hecht found Jared Sommers up the right sideline for a 35-yard score, giving THS a 13-10 advantage with 8:44 to go. Ward went back in front on a 5-yard touchdown run by Cole Henley on the ensuing possession, but the Chieftains answered again. Hecht capped off an 80-yard drive with a 26-yard touchdown run with 2:28 left.

Ward got one more chance when it started the next drive on its own 38, but Sommers intercepted Barnhart on fourth down to preserve the first THS victory of the season.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Cyclones got on the scoreboard with a 23-yard field goal by Mark Lopez on the first play of the second quarter. Both teams struggled to move the ball for the remainder of the half, but a bad punt by Ward deep in its own territory gave Tonganoxie the ball at the Cyclone 26 late in the period. The Chieftains capitalized, taking the lead on a 3-yard run by Ryan Musick with just 43.5 seconds left until the break.

Both teams struggled in the passing game, going a combined 7-of-26. However, Hecht was 3-of-5 for 55 yards in the second half. He also led THS on the ground, rushing 20 times for a season-high 81 yards. Musick added 49 yards and Sommers had 36. Barnhart, who had just three completions for 40 yards, was the Cyclones’ leading rusher with 57 yards. Henley added 52 yards, but had just nine in the second half.

THS will get one more chance to prepare for the start of district play when it travels next week to Class 5A Bonner Springs.

Score by quarters

BWHS 0 3 7 8 — 18

THS 0 6 0 13 — 19

Second quarter

BWHS — Mark Lopez 23 field goal, 11:55

THS — Ryan Musick 3 run (kick failed), :43.5

Third quarter

BWHS — Bryan Barnhart 11 run (Lopez kick), 1:46

Fourth quarter

THS — Jared Sommers 35 pass from Carl Hecht (Kendall Parsons kick), 8:44

BWHS — Cole Henley 5 run (Jared Paulakovich run), 7:03

THS — Carl Hecht 26 run (pass failed), 2:28

Rushing

BWHS: Bryan Barnhart 19-57, Cole Henley 17-52, Jared Paulakovich 3-5, Charles Kump 1-3; THS: Carl Hecht 20-81, Ryan Musick 15-49, Jared Sommers 10-36, Conner Brown 3-14.

Passing

BWHS: Bryan Barnhart 4-14-1 40; THS: Carl Hecht: 3-12-0 65.

Receiving

BWHS: Cole Henley 3-27, Noah Alexander 1-13; THS: Jared Sommers 1-35, Grant Swearngin 1-20, Kyle Burge 1-10.