THS lost to Kansas City Christian, 3-1, in the 2023 playoffs. And despite losing some major pieces to graduation on last year’s squad, the Chieftains have a big roster, including 20 seniors.

But then came a tough red card call on Tonganoxie in the first half.

Tonganoxie senior Wesley Johnson was whistled near midfield on the far side for the dreaded red card and had to leave the game.

“We just had to work hard all game,” THS coach Jon Orndorff said. “It’s never easy playing a man down. Everything we worked on this week went out the door.”

The team battled to a scoreless tie heading into intermission, but KCC was able to score in the second half and then held on for the 1-0 victory.

Tonganoxie continued to hold its owns play stopped often due to Panthers’ players cramping up on the pitch.

THS senior goalie Jose Moreno had a big game as he racked up a “dozen plus saves” according to Orndorff. His defensive work in the net helped keep the Chieftains within striking distance until the final horn.

“Jose played behind Jackson (McWilliams), but gosh any school would love to have him,” Orndorff said of the starting goalie, who previously served backup to four-year standout goalie Jackson McWilliams. “He stepped up. He’s just been good.”

Tonganoxie also is without one of its top performers in junior Lachlan McRae. He injured his foot during summer basketball. McRae could be back around playoff time, according to Orndorff.

As for Johnson, he had to miss Tuesday’s match against Mill Valley and take an online course in sportsmanship. It’s standard procedure with players who receive red cards, per Kansas State High School Activities Association rules, to sit out the next match and complete the online course.

THS will hit the road for the first time Thursday with a road match at Lansing and then is on the road again next Tuesday at Spring Hill before returning home two days later for a Sept. 12 clash with Eudora in the Frontier League opener.

Orndorff will look to his large senior class to continue to lead the squad.

“It’s a huge class of 20 seniors,” Orndorff said. “There are good seniors in the program. It’s just a solid group.”