By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post Sports
GREAT BEND - Archer Amrein and Braxton Basgall both rushed for over 200 yards and combined to score five touchdowns to lead Hays High to a 35-7 win over rival Great Bend Friday night at Memorial Stadium which claimed the Western Athletic Conference title for the Indians.
Hays (6-1, 3-0) dominated the first half by yardage but only led 7-0. The Indians outgained Great Bend 255-47 through the first two quarters. The first quarter saw Hays drive to the Great Bend (6-1, 3-1) five yard line but turn the ball over on downs after 12 plays. The Indians got into Panther territory on their next two possessions but had tipped pass intercepted and turned the ball over on downs a second time.
Meanwhile, Great Bend never crossed the 50 yard line. Their four completed drives all resulted in punts.
Hays finally broke onto the scoreboard with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Braxton Basgall took a 3rd and 19 handoff 55 yards for a touchdown with 56 seconds left before halftime. Mason Zimmerman's extra point put the Indians up 7-0.
Highlights
The second half belonged to the Indians. Hays held Great Bend to a punt after three plays to start the second half. The Indians scored the first of their four second half touchdowns on the ensuing drive.
Archer Amrein scored from 28 yards out to cap a 6 play 73 yard drive for a 14-0 lead at the 7:42 mark. Great Bend breathed life back into the game with a touchdown pass from eight yards out. It was just the second touchdown allowed to a Kansas team by the varsity defense this season. The Panthers made it 14-7 with 5:34 left in the third quarter.
Hays responded one play later. Basgall raced 59 yards on the first play of the drive to put the Indians back on top by two scores, 21-7, just fifteen seconds after Great Bend scored.
Hays scored on their next two possessions while holding the Panthers to turnover on downs on their drives.
Basgall scored from two yards out and Amrein from 15 yards for the final of 35-7.
Coach Tony Crough
Basgall rushed for 210 yards on 16 carries. Amrein rushed for 274 yards on 19 rushes. The Indians ran for 493 yards, a total minimized by two snaps that lost 27 yards in the first half. Great Bend had negative 35 yards rushing and just 110 total yards
Hays will host Liberal next Friday on Senior Night.