Hays High had a lot of questions regarding their football team entering their season opener on the road in Junction City on Friday night. It appeared that all questions would be answered as Hays reeled of 22 straight points to start the game. The first Hays High touchdown came off the legs of sophomore starting quarterback Alex Delton after Cade Sharp blocked a punt.
But after Hays took the 22-0 lead, Junction City fought back making the game 22-12 at half time missing on a extra point and failing on a two point conversion.
Hays opened the second half with the ball and an 11 play, 71 yard, 4:48 drive to push their lead back up to 17 on Delton’s third touchdown rush of the night.
Junction City responded right back with two touchdown downs trimming the lead down to 29-26.
Hays quickly regained control just before the end of the third quarter with a three play, eighty yard drive that started with a 33 yard Delton run and finished with a 40 yard touchdown run from David Cardinal, to make the score 36-26.
Hays though wouldn’t score again in regulation. On the ensuing possession, Junction City went fifteen plays, but had to settle for a field goal after having the ball first and goal from the one. A penalty and three consecutive negative plays forced the field goal at 36-29.
Hays went no where on their next possession and a short punt put Junction City in a position to tie the game which they did with under two minutes remaining.
Hays did get into Junction City territory on their final drive but stalled out some 15 yards short of field goal range.
Hays got the ball first in over time and immediately had a false start (their fifteenth penalty of the night) and gained just four yards over the first two plays. However on third down from the eleven a jump ball pass to Adam Deterding at the goal line was caught setting up fourth and inches which Delton converted on his fourth touchdown rush of the night. The Lane Clark extra point made the score 43-36.
Junction City though still had their chance with the ball and scored on two five yard runs and then decided to end the game one way or the other with a two point conversion. The Blue Jays converted for the final 44-43 margin.
Hays is 0-1 now on the season and heads to McPherson on Friday.
Hays out gained McPherson 347 to 306. Delton led the Indians rushing attack with 110 yards and threw for another 79. Adam Deterding had two catches for 60 yards and one touchdown.
Game Highlights:
HHS vs. Junction City game highlights
Post game Coach Interview:
Cornelson Postgame Interview
Final Game Wrap:
HHS vs. Junction City Game Wrap 8-31-12