By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post Sports
HAYS - Hays played just their second home game of the season as they hosted Wichita East in week five.
The Hays defense allowed just 116 yards and no points in a 28-7 win over the Blue Aces. East's lone score came on a Hays fumble recovered in the end zone.
Hays scored the only points of the first half as the defenses controlled the game. The two teams combined for just 104 yards on offense.
During a half filled with punts, the Indians found the only score. Riley Windholz returned a punt to the Blue Aces' 34 yard line late in the first quarter. Quarterback Joey Dintino ran for 15 yards to start the drive and Archer Amrein provided the final eight yards to score his sixth rushing touchdown of the season. Mason Zimmerman's extra point put Hays on top 7-0 with 1:04 left in the first quarter.
Neither team advanced inside the other's 37 yard line in the second quarter. Hays kept the East offense at bay with nine plays for loss of yards through the first two quarters.
Hays gave up just ten yards on East's first drive of the second half. The Indians put together their most complete drive of the evening. The offense covered 61 yards on eight plays to take a two score advantage. Dintino threw for 34 yards on the drive and Braxton Basgall polished off the final four yards with 5:36 left in the third quarter. Zimmerman's extra point made it 14-0.
Leading by two touchdowns, Hays lost a fumble at their own 30 yard line. The defense bowed their backs and forced a turnover on downs. The Indians responded two plays later as Dintino found Brogan Albers for a 78 yard touchdown pass and a three score lead.
Wichita East drove all the way to the Hays five yard before their drive was snuffed out on fourth down. Hays fumbled in their own end zone and the ball was recovered by the Blue Aces for a 21-7 score with 5:57 left in the game.
Hays started the ensuing drive after a long kickoff return and 15 yard penalty on East. The Indians though lost the ball after four downs. Nash Kaiser intercepted a East pass on the next drive and returned it to the two yard line. Dintino found Albers in the back of the end zone on a four yard pass with 1:50 remaining. Zimmerman's fourth extra point of the night put the Indians on top 28-7.
East had the football one final time. That drive was stopped when Gabe Atherton forced a fumble that was recovered by Jace Dreher.
The Hays defense allowed just 116 total yards.
Hays plays at home for a second consecutive week as they resume Western Athletic Conference play with Dodge City.