By Dustin Armbruster

The Hays versus Buhler game on Friday night was one of the marquee match-ups in the state of Kansas in week seven of the high school football season. #2 Hays and #4 Buhler met for the first time since 2003 in a game that opened up district play for each squad. Buhler struck first on a 4 play 76 yard drive and led 7-0 with 9:40 remaining in the first quarter. Hays would answer 9 plays later when Alex Delton hit Hayden Kreutzer on a 23 yard pass to convert on 4th down and goal from the 23.

From that point on it would be all Buhler. The Crusaders scored 28 unanswered points to take 35-14 lead. They would score on their first five possessions of the game. While Hays was trying to keep pace, Hays turned the ball over twice inside the redzone. Hays would tight then scored to 35-14 right before half time with a Delton to Keith Dryden 69 yard pass play.

Buhler though controlled the entire second half allowing Hays just one third quarter possession en route to the 55-21 victory.

The loss drops Hays to 6-1 on the season, while Buhler has won six in a row and also is 6-0. The standings that matter the most however is the district record. Hays is 0-1 in district play and will face the other 0-1 team in district eight, the Abilene Cowboys. Abilene also suffered their first loss of the season Friday night when they lost to McPherson 17-6.

Hays did total 451 yards, throwing for 317 and rushing for 134. Delton through the air was 14-27 for 286 yards and three scores, but also threw three interceptions. Kreuzter caught six passes for 123 yards and one score. Keith Dryden hauled in four passes for 126 yards and two scores.

Buhler was led by junior quarterback Jace Williams who ran 27 times for 318 yards and three scores. Williams also was 7-9 through the air for 158 yards and one touchdown.