By Dustin Armbruster

Hays and McPherson were facing the same fate at the end of Friday’s match-up at Lewis Field Stadium.  Neither team would be advancing to the playoffs.

Following a Hays punt on three plays to open the game, McPherson drove 53 yards on 12 plays to score the games first touchdown.  The drive consumed 5:40.  McPherson had a miscue on the snap and the point after failed leaving the score 6-0.  After another three plays and punt by Hays, McPherson drove 60 yards on 17 plays scoring on third and goal from the 19 yard line.  The second scoring drive took 8:14.  McPherson scored on a two point conversion attempt to lead 14-0 with 7:02 left in the second quarter.

Hays finally caught a spark on offense during their ensuing drive using a double pass, hook and ladder, and a 28 yard touchdown pass on fourth down from Hunter Brown to Jared Haynes to get with-in a touchdown at 14-7.  Maddux Winter intercepted a Bullpup pass on the following possession and the Indians again scored on fourth down this time Brown to Keith Dryden for 24 yards and a 14-14 tie at half time.

Highlights

McPherson opened the second half with a long drive that ended with a 21 yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead.  The Hays offense couldn’t gain any traction for the first half of the third quarter, but their defense held McPherson in check.  Brayden Delzeit blocked a punt to set up the Indians at the eight yard line late in the third quarter.  Hays would get their first lead of the game on a Dryden five yard touchdown run at 21-17.  Following a Bullpup touchdown the Indians would drive for a Logan Clark 40 yard field goal to tie the game at 24 with 2:56 remaining.  McPherson would find a way to drive down the field to score a touchdown pass with :27 left and take a 31-24 victory.

Coach Randall Rath

Hays finishes the season at 2-7.  McPherson is done at 5-4.