By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
HAYS - Hays High didn't allow points over the first three quarters, building a 35-0 lead on their way to a 48-7 victory over Ulysses Friday in their Homecoming game at Lewis Field.
Hays High's offense started the game on the field but the defense found themselves playing after just one snap. The Indians lost a fumble on that first play but the defense held strong in the red zone and forced a missed field goal.
Three plays later Ian McGuire ripped off a 73 yard touchdown run for a 6-0 lead following a missed PAT. Ulysses again drove into the red zone but a bad snap on a field goal attempt led to an incomplete pass and turnover on downs.
The Hays offense engineered a 15 play 85 yard drive that resulted in a four yard touchdown pass from Carter Graham to Braeden Moeckel and a 13-0 lead after a successful PAT. The Indians converted a pair of fourth downs and a third down on the drive.
The defense forced another turnover on downs following a fourth down sack by Tanner Geist, then forced a punt on the next drive.
Graham went over top of the Tiger defense to Jarek Purdy for a 37 yard score and a 20-0 lead into halftime.
Hays opened the second half with a safety on defense by Dalton Meyers and the offense used a short field on the ensuing kickoff to score when Graham found Johnny Cano for the first of two second half hookups. The first was a 12 yard pass and the second off a quarterback scramble for 21 yards.
The second touchdown pass was set up on a short field on a blocked punt that was returned to the 21 by the Indians.
The Hays defense got in on the scoring again in the fourth quarter. Ulysses put a 14 play drive together that was ended on a deflected pass by Meyers and intercepted by Wyatt Kirkpatrick. He returned it 70 yards for a touchdown.
Ulysses did get onto the board one time on a 32 yard run.
Zane Viegra hit Caleb Thompson for a 76 yard touchdown to cap the Indians 48-7 victory.
Hays improves to 3-2. Ulysses falls to 0-4. The Indians will be in Dodge City next week.