JUNCTION CITY - Hays High opened their 2026 campaign with a road trip to Junction City on Friday night. The game was delayed by thirty minutes due to the heat.
The Indian defense led the way early forcing a punt after a Junction City drive lost thirteen yards. Following a Hays pass was intercepted the defense stepped up again. Keiston Evans-Grant batted down a backwards pass that was recovered by Bryan Obour.
Hays need three plays to cover the seven yards needed to score. Braxton Basgall punched the ball in from three yards out for a 7-0 lead.
The Indian defense forced back-to-back Blue Jay punts in the second quarter. The Hays offense found the best drive of the first half on the next possession. Archer Amrein punctuated a 12 play, 74 yard drive with a ten yard score. The Mason Zimmerman extra point put Hays up 14-0 with 3:20 left until halftime.
Junction City did threaten to score at the end of the half. A fourth down pass with time expiring was batted down in the end zone by Kade Simon.
Highlights
Hays had the ball just three times in the second half. All three drives lasted at least seven plays and one ended with a score. An 8 play, 80 yard drive put the Indians up 21-0 early in the fourth quarter. Amrein sliced through the defense for a 27 yard score with 11:14 left in the game.
The two drives that the Indians didn't score on both resulted in turnover on downs following long drives. The second drive came to a close at the three yard line of Junction City. Two plays later Evans-Grant landed on a loose football in the end zone for the Indians' final touchdown. Zimmerman made all four of his extra point attempts.
Junction City put together their best drive of the night to score with 1:02 left and the final of 28-7.
Coach Tony Crough
Hays rushed for 259 yards in the victory. Junction City
Hays heads on the road next week and take on a new opponent, Gardner-Edgerton. The Trailblazers beat Lawrence 28-26.