Dodge City took advantage of an interception on the first play of the game to start a strong first quarter against the Hays High Indians. The Red Demons scored four plays later on a 29 yard run and then a one yard plunge on the next series following an Indian punt after three plays.
Dodge City posted a 14-0 lead with 7:56 left in the first quarter. Hays did burst onto the scoreboard on their fourth drive. Dylan Dreiling scored on an 83 yard run which was the first play of the drive. The longest play of the season for Hays High brought the score back to 14-7.
The Red Demons wasted little time scoring two plays later. Quarterback Beau Foster who ran for the first two scores threw to Matt Friess for a 71 yard strike and a 21-7 lead with 3:40 left in the first quarter. The fireworks would be squelched the remainder of the half. Hays started three first half drives in Dodge City territory but was turned away on three plays each time. The Indians advanced to the 19 yard line of Dodge City late in the second quarter but turned the ball over on downs.
The Red Demons threatened to score on the ensuing drive but a 42 yard field goal attempt went awry and resulted in an incomplete pass to end the first half.
Highlights
The Hays High defense forced a three play and punt drive by Dodge City to open up the second half and the offense struck quickly. Hays ran the ball on six plays to the 49 yard line then struck for six points on a 51 yard pass play from Dylan Dreiling to Hayden Brown. The Matt Goodale extra point closed the gap to 21-14 with 9:12 left in the third quarter.
Dodge City struck right back and then added a second touchdown with 45 seconds left in the third quarter. Both point after attempts failed for the Red Demons leaving the score at 33-12. Hays would score again in the third quarter. Hayden Brown returned a kickoff 97 yards for a 33-21 score. It was the first kickoff return for a score by Brown this season and the third of his career.
Coach Tony Crough
Dodge City’s next drive would eliminate most of the comeback chances for Hays. The Red Demons added 470 pounds of blocking backs into the backfield that helped pave the way to the end zone. The Red Demons went on a 6:37 drive that was all on the ground and ended with a Beau Foster one yard plunge for his fourth score of the night. The extra point was the final tally of a 40-21 Dodge City victory.
Hays falls to 2-4 on the year and finishes conference play at 1-3. Hays will be at Buhler next Thursday. Dodge City will enter next week’s Hatchet Game with Garden City at 6-0. The two are each 2-0 in the Western Athletic Conference play.