The Hays High had to wait until week three of the football season to play their first home game. On a picture perfect Friday night the Indians hosted the Liberal Redskins at Lewis Field Stadium.

Hays took their first drive of the game to the end zone over ten plays capped by a Hunter Brown five yard run. Liberal scored immediately when freshman Syris Dunlap took the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a tie ball game.

The rest of the first half was scoreless and Liberal punted the ball on three straight possessions of three plays. Hays drove into Liberal territory on their next three possessions but couldn’t convert on fourth down each time at the 36 yard line.

The Hays defense held Liberal to zero yards at half time. Hays compiled 187 yards, but remained tied with the Redskins 7-7.a

Highlights

Hays recovered fumble on the first play of the second half and four plays later took a 13-7 lead after a three yard run by Kohlton Meyers. Hays botched the extra point missing out on the extra point.

Liberal faced 3rd and 16 on their next drive when it looked like the Indians had intercepted a pass. But the Redskin’s Ty Johnson wrestled the catch away and gained 40 yards for a first down. Liberal finished the long 13 play drive off with a six yard run by Cesar Burciaga taking a 14-13 lead.

Hays looked like they would take the lead traveling inside the Redskin’s 10 yard but fumbled the ball away on third down after 16 plays. Liberal took over at their own nine yard line and went backwards a yard on the next two plays. Liberal though converted on 3rd and 12 and later on 3rd and 5. Liberal then busted out the longest play on offense with a 67 yard run by Burciaga to give Liberal a 21-13 lead.

The Indians had one last chance getting the ball at the 20 yard. Hays traveled to the Liberal 35 yard line but lost the ball on downs, their fourth such turnover of the night. Liberal used three plays to run out the clock and claim the 21-13 win.

Highlights

Liberal gets their first Western Athletic Conference since 2013 and moves to 2-1 overall. Hays falls to 1-2 and 0-2 in the conference. Hunter Brown led the Indians with 130 yards and touchdown. Kohlton Meyers ran for 87 yards and one score. Hays compiled 324 yards compared to the Redskins 179.

Hays heads on the road to 3-0, state ranked Garden City next Friday Night.