Hays High opened the 2021 season with Wichita East on Friday night at Lewis Field Stadium.
Jaren Kanak scored on a 52 yard run just three plays into the season. A Jack Fields extra point capped the drive for a 7-0 lead. That would be all the points the Indians would muster in the first half. Hays drove to the Blue Aces' seven yard line in the second quarter, but a pair of penalties thwarted the chance to score. The final two possessions of the second quarter started in East territory but never gained traction.
The Indian's defense held East to just 52 total yards in the first half. The Indians recorded six tackles for loss and grabbed an interception in the first twenty-four minutes of the game.
Highlights
The Indians blew the game open in the third quarter. Hays scored on a Malik Bah 12 yard touchdown run with 7:22 on the clock. Gavin Meyers recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Kanak pushed the lead to 21-0 on a 17 yard run with 7:01 on the clock.
Hays scored two more times in the quarter. Kanak scored on a highlight reel 54 yard run and then hit Jordan Dale for a 98 yard pass and 35-6 lead. The four touchdowns took a total of 6:54 of game time.
Coach Tony Crough
East scored their lone touchdown with 54 seconds left in the third quarter for the final 35-6 difference.
Jaren Kanak ran for 240 yards and three scores while throwing for 166 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Indians totaled 472 yards.
The game featured 34 penalties for 285 yards.
The Indians are 1-0 on the season and host Great Bend next week. Wichita East falls to 0-1.