Friday night marked both the opening of district play and homecoming for Hays High. The Indians hosted #5 McPherson in the first of three games to determine which four teams from the district goes to the 4A-D1 playoffs.

McPherson started four of their seven first half drives in Hays High territory and took a 22-0 nothing lead into the locker room at half time. McPherson scored on runs of thirteen and eight yards then a nine yard pass to take their lead.

Highlights

McPherson controlled the second half getting the clock to a continuous clock in the 3rd quarter after scoring 15 continues points without the offense on the field. The Bullpups scored on a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, a safety and then a 61 yard kick off return for a touchdown. Leading 48-0 the difference in the score started the continuous clock for the remainder of the game.

The Indians lone score came when freshman Lane Becker split the defense for a 25 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the final 48-6 margin.

Hays travels to Abilene next week to take on the Cowboys in district play. Hays falls to 2-5 on the year. McPherson is now 6-1. Wamego beat Abilene in overtime 28-27. McPherson and Wamego will face off at 1-0 in district play and Hays and Abilene will enter 0-1.

Hays High concluded their Western Athletic Conference schedule at Dodge City on Friday night with a chance to keep their name in the hunt for a conference crown. The start of the game was delayed by over two and half hours due to lightning at the stadium.

By the time the game started after 9:30 neither team could get into an offensive rhythm. Dodge City did reach the red zone one time but lost the ball on downs.

Highlights

Dodge City opened the second half with their best drive of the game. Beau Foster hit John Johnson for a 20 yard touchdown to cap a nine play 80 yard drive. The extra point missed leaving the score at 6-0. After punting the football back to Dodge City, the Hays defense picked off quarterback Beau Foster for a second time in the game. Hayden Brown returned the ball to the eight yard line. Mason Ibarra had picked off a pass in the first half.

Hays could not punch the ball into the end zone on their first three plays following the Brown interception. However on the fourth down field goal attempt and bobbled snap turned into a touchdown when Hunter Brown found Palmer Hutchison in the back of the end zone. Logan Clark’s extra point gave Hays a 7-6 lead in the third quarter.

Neither team could score an offensive touchdown in the fourth quarter and Hays had the football with less than four minutes to go. The Indians though fumbled the football which Dodge City returned for a touchdown and a 12-7 lead. Hays did not reach mid-field on their final drive and fell 12-7 just before the clock struck midnight.

Coach Randall Rath

Hays falls to 2-4 on the year and finishes 2-2 in the conference. Dodge City is 3-3 after the win and is 1-1 in WAC action. Hays opens up district play next week hosting McPherson on Friday for homecoming.

By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

Liberal 6, Hays High 5

LIBERAL, Kan.-Hays High fell behind 3-0 after the first half and trailed 4-0 early in the second half and then turned a switch. The Indians would get three goals in a three minute and 24 second surge, started by a header from Trey McCrae, to pull within one goal in the 48th minute of the second half. Liberal would counter and push the lead to 5-3 when their shot found the back of the net.

The Indians refused to go away as Zach Wagner scored on a penalty kick to get the Indians back to within one goal. Ethan Nunnery would score the equalizer in the 72nd minute, his third goal of the game. Liberal would get the last word as the Redskins scored the game winner (79th minute) with a goal that found the left side of the net which gave Liberal the lead for good. Wagner had a final shot attempt that sailed just wide left.

Hays High drops to 9-5 on the season with their second straight loss. The Indians are off until next Saturday when they host Bishop Carroll.

SILAS HIBBS INTERVIEW