4A Championship Preview
By: Mark Schremmer -- special to Kpreps.com
Posted: November 26, 2009 - 11:22 PM

Topeka Hayden (9-4) vs Bishop Miege (11-2)

The Topeka Hayden Wildcats may have not taken the same path as a year ago, but they are back in the Class 4A state championship.

Hayden, last year’s 4A champion, will defend its crown against the Bishop Miege Stags at 1 p.m. Saturday in Salina.

A year ago, the Wildcats cruised to a state title with a 13-1 record. But with the loss of several key players, including all-state Top 11 quarterback T.J. McGreevy, Hayden stumbled to a 2-3 start this season.

Coach Bill Arnold rallied his troops, however, and the Wildcats have rattled off five consecutive wins to enter the title contest with a 9-4 record.

Hayden’s run to the title game hasn’t been flashy. The Wildcats have not had a 100-yard peformance from a rusher or receiver in their four playoff games.

Bishop Miege, on the other hand, has more than its fair share of flash.

For the Stags it all starts with their head coach, former NFL Pro Bowl center Tim Grunhard. The 1990s Kansas City Chiefs favorite has taken the Stags from a 3-6 record in his first season as coach to an 11-2 record and state championship berth this year.

Another reason for the Stags’ success has been their star receiver Justin McCay. Rivals.com touts the 6-4 senior as the state’s best recruit. And while he’s a receiver, Grunhard works to make sure his star gets the ball as often as possible. This was evident when McCay, who has committed to play at Oklahoma, had two rushing touchdowns in Miege’s 35-7 playoff win against Louisburg.

Hayden must know where McCay is lined up on the field at all times to have a chance of defending its title.