By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post Sports
HAYS - Hays High opened up their new field with the high profile Choctaw Yellowjackets out of Oklahoma. The inaugural game was one to remember as the Indians walked off the field with a 21-19 victory.
Holden Lind scored the first points at the new Hays High school on a 59 yard run with 4:07 left in the first quarter. The first point after touchdown attempt was put through the uprights by Carson Moore for a 7-0 score.
The Yellowjackets needed just three plays on their next drive to score. A pair of screen plays ate up 74 yards to draw Choctaw within a single point. Jarek Purdy broke up a pass in the end zone on a two point conversion attempt that kept the lead in the hands of Hays at 7-6 with 3:11 to go in the first.
The Indian defense stiffened for the remaining of the half. Defensive tackle Tanner Geist intercepted a bobbled screen pass. Hays started the last two possessions of the first half in Choctaw territory but came up empty. The final drive started at the Yellowjacket 35 yard line following a negative one yard punt.
A pair of pass interference calls put Hays at the eight. Their final play of the half came up two yards short of the end zone as time expired.
Highlights
Jace Myers recovered a Choctaw fumble to begin the second half. The offense turned that into points. Eight plays after the fumble, quarterback Zane Viegra stretched his 6'2' frame into the end zone on fourth and inches. Moore's extra point increased the lead to 14-6 with 7:14 left in the third quarter.
A quick three and out forced by the Hays defense put the offense back into motion. Holden Lind capped a 13 play drive with a one yard rushing score. Moore's extra point put the Indians up 21-6 with 10:54 left in the game.
Things nearly got away from Hays. Choctaw scored on a seven yard run to close the gap to 21-12 after another failed two-point conversion attempt with 6:56 left. Two Hays High players ran into each other on the onside kick allowing the Yellowjackets to get the ball back. Twenty-four seconds later Choctaw scored on a 32 yard pass. This time they elected to kick an extra point for a 21-19 game with 6:32 left.
The Indians fumbled the ball two plays later on offense. Choctaw advanced to six yard line before being forced back to the 22 yard line for fourth down. A pass fell incomplete in the end zone allowing Hays to run out the clock for the 21-19 victory.
Coach Tony Crough
Hays (2-0) will take on their third straight number ranked 6A team when they travel to Manhattan. Choctaw (1-1) travels to Bixby for their third straight road game to open the season.