LHS got the blocked punt with 8:30 left in the first quarter. Tonganoxie had trouble getting much going offensively, but the Chieftain defense stayed strong.

In fact, it was the Chieftain defense that played a big role in Tonganoxie’s score. Louisburg got the ball at the start of the second half, but Tonganoxie’s Joel Merei picked off a Wildcat pass in Louisburg territory and then scampered inside the Louisburg 10. Blake Riedel scored on a short rushing touchdown form the 2-yard-line on third down. Unfortunately for THS, Louisburg would answer quickly.

Lousiburg took the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown and the Wildcats were back up, 14-7.

Tonganoxie sophomore Hudson Myers got the start at quarterback for the Chieftains. Myers got the start with returning junior quarterback Bodee Maslak out for the opener with an injury.

Myers went 6-for-19 with 67 yards.

Riedel led Tonganoxie rushers with 64 yards on 17 carries. Kip Harder led the receiving corps with 67 yards on five receptions. Riedel scored Tonganoxie’s lone touchdown.

THS now turns its attention to a foe it hasn’t seen in several years.

Tonganoxie takes on Hayden Catholic, which also enters the game at 0-1. Hayden dropped its season opener to Eudora, 22-19, this past Friday at EHS Hayden and THS haven’t met in football since the two met in the Class 4A playoffs in 2004 and 2005. Hayden won both of those contests, 27-14 in 2004 and 41-0 in 2005. Hayden leads the all-time series, 6-0. Hayden also won four games in the 1980s: 13-7 in 1986, 14-6 in 1985 (14-6), 27-0 in 1984 and 14-0 in 1983.

The Wildcats went 12-1 last year and were Class 3A runner-up to Andale after losing in the championship, 38-6.