By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
The Hays High Indians traveled to Maize High School for the 5A Quarterfinals on a cold, blustery Friday night.
The offenses owned the first 14 minutes of the game. Maize scored on just four plays following the Indians turning it over on down at the 28 yard line. Roy Moroni punched in a 15 yard run to cap a three play 70 yard drive. Maize ran in from 29 yards before the Indians Jaren Kanak scored on a wild 69 yard run. The Indians converted for two points on their first two touchdowns for a 16-14 lead.
Maize took the lead back with just under four minutes left in the first quarter on a 72 yard touchdown pass. Hays scored less than two minutes into the second quarter but failed to convert on a two point try for a 22-21 lead with 10:43 left in the first half. Jarrett Lyon blocked the extra point.
Wyatt Crain picked off a pass while Hays led by one point, but the Indians punted just three plays later. Maize took the lead back on a 21 yard pass with 4:24 left in the first half. Hays took the ensuing kickoff back to the Maize 42 yard line but punted after three plays, going into the locker room down 27-22.
Highlights
Things couldn't have gone worse for the Indians to open the second half. Maize caught a tipped pass at the two yard line and scored one play later for a 35-22 lead. Hays fumbled the ensuing kick return and Maize scored one play later on a 38 yard pass to take a 41-22 lead.
The Indians then turned the ball over on down the next drive, but Maize missed a field goal. That is when the Indians made a charge back into the ball game. Carson Kieffer converted a fourth and nine on a run as the punter. Hays turned the drive into points with a Roy Moroni 10 yard run.
Maize punted on their next drive with Hays taken over the at their own eight yard. The Indians traversed the entire distance, capping the drive with a Malik Bah five yard run.
Coach Tony Crough
The Indians knocked down a fourth down pass and took over at the 48 yard line with under four minutes remaining. Hays converted on fourth down but threw an interception two plays later. Maize ripped off a 91 yard run for the final margin 48-36.
Kanak ran for 203 yards, Moroni 107 and Bah 81.
The Hays season closes at 8-3. Maize is now 9-2 and will play Kapaun. The Crusaders scored 21 fourth quarter points to beat Wichita Northwest 38-35.