By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HAVEN, Kan. — For the second straight season, Haven High School has opened 4-0. But unlike last year’s quick start that ended with a loss to Garden Plain, this year’s Wildcats are looking to rewrite the script, and perhaps make history.
Haven hasn’t started 5-0 since 1985, when it rattled off nine straight wins before falling to Larned in the Class 4A Bi-District round of the playoffs. On Friday, the Wildcats travel to Garden Plain (3-1) with first place in Class 2A District 5 on the line.
Co-head coaches Drew Thalmann and Thomas Cooprider are in their seventh season guiding the Wildcats, posting a 36-25 record while splitting duties, Thalmann handling the offense and Cooprider the defense. Both say this year’s group has embraced the challenge of replacing last year’s senior trio of Van Loop, Aiden Hoopes and Nash Wray, who combined for 41 of the team’s 51 touchdowns.
That production has been filled by a breakout sophomore and a steady junior presence. Running back Cole Brawner has emerged as one of the top backs in Class 2A, rushing for 635 yards and eight touchdowns on 96 carries through four games, averaging 158.8 yards per game. Quarterback Brogan Wray, Nash’s younger brother, has completed 65 percent of his passes (36 of 55) for 464 yards and six touchdowns. He has also added 157 rushing yards and four scores, giving him 10 total TDs this season.
“Cole’s done a nice job stepping in at tailback, he had over 200 yards last week against Douglass,” Thalmann said. “Brogan has been running our offense since middle school, so he’s comfortable. He’s different than Nash, but dangerous in his own way.”
The passing game has leaned on two juniors: Kolton Altvater, who leads the team with 13 receptions for 185 yards and four touchdowns, and Zade Turner, who has caught nine passes for 162 yards and two scores. Senior Jaxson Wilder adds balance with seven catches for 87 yards.
That group has produced 465 passing yards, 804 rushing yards and 470 receiving yards across four games, averaging more than 317 yards of total offense per game. Haven has scored at least 26 points in every outing, with wins over Hillsboro (26-12), Nickerson (44-7), Smoky Valley (38-6) and Douglass (31-20).
Much of that success starts up front. Seniors Aaron Logan and Jacob Myers, along with 6-foot-3, 285-pound junior Cody Holzrichter, a returning All-League selection, anchor an offensive line that has opened lanes and kept Wray protected.
“Somebody asked if our offensive line was the catalyst of our offense, and I think that’s true,” Thalmann said. “They’re making holes for Cole and keeping Brogan upright. They’ve been excellent.”
Defensively, Haven has been just as strong, allowing only 49 points all season. Senior linebacker Grant Patry, a returning All-State selection, made his season debut in Week 4 after knee surgery and recorded a sack on his second play back.
Patry joins Wilder, Marks and Brawner in a defense that has racked up 28 tackles for loss in four games. Brawner and sophomore John Williams share the team lead with 30 tackles apiece, while Wilder has 29. Senior lineman Brock Marks and Myers each have a sack, and freshman Alexander Hall added another.
Haven’s secondary has been especially opportunistic, recording eight interceptions through four games. Wray leads the team with three, while Brawner and Altvater each have two. Senior Chris Barrientos has one.
“Effort is unbelievable this year,” Cooprider said. “We’ve only had to run pursuit drill maybe twice all season. These guys fly around, hit people, and believe in what we’re doing.”
For Cooprider, the goal has been more than another hot start, it’s about sustaining success.
“We’ve had good seasons before, but we’ve never followed them with another good one,” he said. “We challenged this group to be the one that breaks that trend, and so far they’ve risen to it.”
Friday’s matchup with Garden Plain offers a chance to prove it. The Owls ended Haven’s 4-0 start last fall with a decisive win, and they’ve once again positioned themselves as a district contender.
“Garden Plain is always technically sound,” Thalmann said. “They’re physical, talented and disciplined. These games show us where we’re at. We’d like to get over the hump one of these days.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Garden Plain. A win would give Haven its first 5-0 start in four decades, and keep the Wildcats’ climb back to the top very much alive.