By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS, Kan. – Shane Watts had 158 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns, Benyon Williams returned a fumble for a touchdown late in the second quarter and Fort Hays State rebounded from their first loss of the season with a 37-0 non-conference win over Northeastern State Saturday at Lewis Field.
The Tigers improved to 3-1 on the season and are 3-0 at home after their 10th-straight win over the RiverHawks. Northeastern State dropped to 0-3.
The game swung late in the second quarter. With the Tigers leading 10-0, Northeastern State defensive lineman Chris Lee intercepted a Jack Dawson screen pass and returned it to the FHSU 17 yard line. After moving to ball to the six, a bad snap went over the head of NSU quarterback Dereun Dortch and was returned 81 yards by Benyon Williams which gave the Tigers a 17-0 halftime lead.
Shane Watts gave the Tigers their first touchdown on a 23 yard screen pass on third and goal. He added a two-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to push the lead to 27-0. Watts finished with 118 rushing yards on 22 carries and caught four passes for 40 yards. It was Watts' second 100-yard rushing game this season and helped the Tigers to a season-best 184 yards on the ground.
Jack Dawson connected with Jayden Horace on a three-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Carson Arndt added field goals from 32, 35 and 22 yards.
Dawson finished with 175 passing yards, completing 20-of-32 attempts. Trevor Watts led in receiving with eight catches for 50 yards.
Defensively the Tigers held NSU to 257 yards. Mason Perez led the way with seven tackles a blocked punt. Jack Hileman and Makel Williams each had six tackles and Jaxon Kolzow forced a fumble in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
The Tigers resume MIAA play on the road at No. 25 Central Oklahoma next Saturday. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.