By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post

The story line of Friday night for Hays High was the Indians needed to beat McPherson by 17 points in order to make the playoffs. When it was announced that the Bullpups starting quarterback was out of the game the odds seemed to tilt in Hays’ favor.

Even after Hays fumbled on their first possession and punted on their second, the Indian defense held. Hays would score on their next two possessions to take a 14-0 lead with 6:02 left before half time. That is when the McPherson offense started to click. McPherson scored on the ensuing possession, cutting the lead down to 14-7. After Hays High lost the next possession on downs at their own 43, McPherson scored with 44 seconds left before half time to tie the game at 14.

McPherson would turn those 14 unanswered points into 21 scoring on their first possession of the second half. Hays answered with a one play drive that featured Alex Delton running for 61 yards to tie the game at 21. McPherson would score twice more on either side of a Hays three and out. McPherson took a 42-21 lead with 6:04 remaining in the game on a 4th down play from the 20 yard line.

Hays would fight back with a touchdown pass from Alex Delton to Keith Dryden. Hayden Kreuzter recovered the onside kick, and scored on a 46 yard pass from Delton to bring the score 42-35 with 3:39 left. Hays would then hold McPherson to a short punt after three plays, but threw an interception to end the game.

Hays finishes the year at 7-2, both losses coming in district play. McPherson wins their seventh straight game, improving to 7-2 and finished as district champs with a 3-0 mark.

Hays ran for 211 yards and passed for 182, totaling 393. McPherson rushed for 207 and threw for 213, totaling 420.