St. James, Aquinas and Tonganoxie all claim season-opening Kansas football wins

It was opening night across the Kansas City metro on Friday.

Here are some highlights from Week 1 of the Kansas high school football schedule.

No. 24 St. James 24, Bishop Miege 0

St. James Academy opened its new stadium in style with a shutout of rival Bishop Miege.

The Thunder celebrated the school’s new football field — Marian Stadium — on its campus with a 24-0 blanking of the Stags on Friday night.

St. James put the crowd in a frenzy early. With the home team facing a third-and-2 with 1:13 left in the first period, senior tailback Jake House took a handoff up the middle for a 71-yard touchdown run. Brayden Stoker added a 44-yard field goal as the clock expired, making it 10-0 at intermission.

After a scoreless third period, the Thunder put the game away when junior quarterback John Hornback rolled to his left and found a wide-open Cory Kirchner at the 20. Kirchner jetted into the end zone for a 17-0 lead with 7:50 left. The final TD was a Hornback keeper up the middle for 73 yards.

St. James Academy travels to St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0) next Friday, while Bishop Miege hosts Blue Valley Southwest.

Tonganoxie 20, Louisburg 14

Tonganoxie opened the season with a nice home victory over Class 4A rival Louisburg.

The Chieftains utilized the arm and legs of sophomore quarterback Bodee Maslak for a 20-14 win at Preston Field in Tonganoxie on Friday night. Maslak threw for 202 passing yards and rushed for 96.

The Chieftains (1-0) got the scoring rolling in the first half with two Maslak keepers for touchdowns. But Louisburg junior quarterback Max Amren took a keeper of his own from 20 yards out, weaving his way through the Chieftains’ defense for a 7-7 tie with 48 seconds left in the opening half.

Tonganoxie pulled a hurry up offense in the final minute, opening with an 18-yard pass to Jacob Morenz to the THS 38 with just 38 seconds left. Then Maslak hit Morenz in the left flat for a 31-yard gain to the LHS 32. A 14-yard connection between the two brought Tonganoxie to the 18 with 20 seconds left.

A pass to the LHS 1 with just 8 seconds remaining set up Maslak’s keeper off right guard for a 14-7 halftime score.

Tongie put the game away to open the second half, with a quick 76-yard drive, started by sophomore quarterback Bodee Maslak jetting up the left hash, then to the sideline for a 40-yard scamper, along with a 15-yard penalty to set THS at the Louisburg 22 in one play.

Maslak then connected with fellow sophomore Kipton Harder on the left side for 20 yards. Three plays later, junior Blake Riedel scored his first career rushing touchdown.

Tonganoxie will travel to Spring Hill (1-0) next Friday, while Louisburg will take on Paola.

No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas 21, Blue Valley West 0

Cal Arndt and St. Thomas Aquinas picked up right where they left off a year ago.

The Saints, No. 2 in the 810 Varsity Top 2, opened the season with a 21-0 win at Blue Valley West. Aquinas, the Kansas Class 5A state champion last November, extended its win streak to 14 games.

Arndt, who rushed for 2,000 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns a year ago, racked up 235 yards and all three Aquinas TDs Friday night. The senior tailback found the end zone with runs of 3, 2 and 7 yards.

St. Thomas Aquinas plays host to St. James Academy next week, while Blue Valley West takes on Olathe West.

For scores, stats, recaps, rankings, broadcasts and more, visit 810Varsity.com.