Defending state champion Hayti football team falls to Thayer in battle of state-ranked teams 30-12

Photo courtesy of Jerry and Kim Taylor
Sr. Gavin Butler (52) and Jr. Eddie Wooden (50) sack Bobcat QB Jayce Haven.

HAYTI, Mo. - The excitement of the Friday night lights returned to southeast Missouri on Friday as the high school football season officially began across the state. The defending Class 1 state champion Hayti Indians, ranked No. 2 in the preseason rankings, hosted the No. 9 ranked Thayer Bobcats.

The Bobcats won the coin toss and elected to receive. On the first snap of Thayer’s opening drive, the ball popped loose and the Indians recovered. With the ball inside the Thayer 30, the Indians looked to score early and put the pressure on the Bobcats. However, Hayti couldn’t capitalize. Thayer’s offense stalled on their next drive as well and had to punt, putting Hayti near midfield. With 6:41 left in the first quarter, Hayti senior running back Adrian Stevenson broke free for a 46-yard run to put Hayti on the board. The two point try failed and Hayti led 6-0. Thayer and Hayti traded drives with no score until the second quarter when Haven found wide receiver Lane Grimes for a 15-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion gave Thayer their first lead over Hayti since 2017 as the Bobcats lead 8-6.

Neither team would get to the end zone again until the third quarter when the Bobcats Jordan Madden ran for a four-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt from Kale Willison was good and Thayer extended its lead to 15-6. The Bobcats added another seven points with 8:02 left remaining in regulation when the Bobcats workhorse, running back Jackson Willison, scored on a five-yard run. The Kale Willison extra-point made it 22-6.

Thayer added its final score with 3:58 left in regulation on a 14-yard quarterback keeper from Haven. The two-point conversion made it a three-score lead at 30-6.

The Indians would not go quietly as a few seconds later, Hayti sophomore quarterback Tray’von Thomas found senior wide receiver TreCharles McCoy for a 65-yard touchdown pass to set the final score at 30-12.

Leading the offense for the Thayer Bobcats were Jayce Haven (7/12, 1 TD, 77 passing yards; 13 carries, 37 rushing yards, 1 TD) and Jackson Willison (24 carries, 83 rushing yards, 1 TD).

For the Hayti Indians, the offensive leaders were Tray’von Thomas (10/22, 1 TD, 141 passing yards) and Adrian Stevenson (6 carries, 51 rushing yards, 1 TD).

Hayti visits Charleston Friday.

Thayer 30, Hayti 12

Photo courtesy of Jerry and Kim Taylor
Senior RB Adreian Stevenson (7) breaks through the Thayer defense on a 46-yard touchdown run.