Hays High hosted Maize South for Homecoming on Friday night at Lewis Field Stadium. It was the 4th time Hays played Maize South out of the last 17 games the Indians had played.
The game lived up to the billing as two of the top four seeds in the west half of 5A went toe-to-toe all night.
Early on it looked as if the Indians might run away for an easy win, scoring on their first three series for a 20-0 lead through the first quarter. Maize South began to chip away through the second quarter closing the game down to 26-14 by halftime.
Highlights
Maize South held Hays without any third quarter points and took the lead for the first time early in the fourth quarter on a 74 yard pass. Their two point conversion moved the score to 29-26 in favor of the Mavericks with 11:07 left in the game.
That score was the first of six combined fourth quarter touchdowns and six lead changes. Jaren Kanak scored from 74 yards for a 32-29 lead. Maize South's Owen Bailey threw a score to Jeron Askren, tagged with an extra point for a 36-32 Maverick lead. Malik Bah scored his second touchdown of the night and Jaren Kanak added a two point conversion for a 40-36 advantage. Bailey found Askren again for a 43-40 edge with 2:34 remaining, allowing Hays time to drive the field.
Hays went 6 plays and 70 yards, scoring on a Roy Maroni 11 yard run for a 46-43 lead. Jack Fields nailed the extra for a 47-43 advantage with 1:17 remaining.
Coach Tony Crough
Maize South returned the ball to mid-field. The Mavericks converted on fourth down to keep their drive alive. Eventually, Maize South arrived at the two yard line with two seconds remaining, but their last pass attempt was broken up at the back of the end zone.
Hays rushed for 453 yards and totaled 527. Kanak rushed for 194 yards and three scores on 16 carries. Roy Maroni ran 20 times for 185 yards and one touchdown. Malik Bah carried the ball four times, scoring twice and totaled 76 yards.
Owen Bailey threw for 383 yards, three scores and two interceptions for Maize South. Evan Cantu rushed 36 times for 140 yards and three scores.
Hays improves to 6-1, while Maize South drops to 5-2.
Dodge City beat Garden City on the night as well, meaning Hays wins a minimum share of the Western Athletic Conference title.