By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
Hays High entered the state semi-finals for just the third time in school history. The #3 Indians traveled to #1 Maize on Friday night. Hays the second seed in 5A West and the Eagles the top seed.
35 unanswered points for Maize propelled them to a 42-9 win.
Hays forced two early turnovers against a Maize team that had three in the previous 11 games. Remy Stull intercepted a pass on the first drive by the Eagles and returned it to the four. Kyreese Groen scored two plays later for a 7-0 lead.
Maize marched the field on their next possession for a 7-7 tie. The Indians worked inside the Maize 10 but turned the ball over on downs at the seven. Hays chased Avery Johnson back into the end zone were a penalty was eventually called an a safety awarded to Hays for a 9-7 lead.
The Hays offense couldn't move the ball on their next two drives and Maize struck twice on short runs for a 21-9 lead. The Indians just missed on a half back pass in the end zone as the first half expired.]
Highlights
Hays played the second half without Malik Bah who broke the single season rushing record in the first half.
The Indians punted on the first drive of the second half, but the punt was blocked and returned for a Maize touchdown. The Eagles started every drive in the second half in Hays territory as the Indians went for 4th down but failed to convert.
The Indians were 1/11 on 3rd down and 0/7 on 4th.
Maize scored on a short run and seven yard pass for the 42-9 final.
Coach Tony Crough