Hays High scored on their first drive of the season to take a 7-0 lead in Junction City on Friday night.  A back and forth half ensued with Blue Jays tying the game on their first drive of the season then taking the lead with thirty-eight seconds left in the first quarter 14-17.

Hays answered back with a 36 yard field goal from Cole Schroeder to close the gap down to 14-10.  The Indians then forced a punt and drove down to the Junction City three yard line.  A fumble was called late on the third down play at the goal line that gave the Blue Jays the ball back at the 20.  It took only five plays for the lead to swell to 21-10 following a Junction City touchdown with 3:38 left in the half.

Hays took over at their own 43, converted twice on fourth downs, the second resulted in a twenty yard scoring play by Palmer Hutchison.  The Schroeder extra point cut the deficit down to 21-17 at half time with Junction City still in the lead.

Highlights

Hays was out gained 303 to 122 in the second half and outscored 35 to 14, falling 56-31 to Junction City.  The Blue Jays scored on their opening possession of the second half then scored a little more than two minutes later after the Indians muffed the ensuing kickoff.

Hayden Brown sparked the Indians with a 75 yard kick off return for a touchdown to cut the score down to 35-24 with 8:26 left in the third quarter.  The Junction City offense was too much though as they outscore Hays 21-7 rest of the way.

Palmer Hutchison threw for 200 yards and ran for another 105 yards.  Hutchison scored twice on the ground and completed a touchdown pass to Willie Sennet.

Sophomore Russell Wilkey was as good as advertised for Junction City, running for 216 yards on 21 carries and scored two times.

Hays starts the season at 0-1 while Junction City moves to 1-0.  Hays will be on the road in Great Bend in week two.