HAYS - Hays High hosted Goddard in the Regional round of the 5A playoffs on Friday night.
Hays intercepted three passes in the first half and four in the game on the way to a 45-14 victory over Goddard.
The Indians led 7-0 after one quarter despite not running a play of offense. Laken Pasek intercepted a pass on the third play of the game, which he returned for a touchdown. Mason Zimmerman's extra point made the scored 7-0 with 10:28 showing on the clock.
Goddard possessed the ball for the remainder of the quarter. The Lions drove 64 yards on 15 plays to tie the game at seven. Hays helped out the possession with two fourth down penalties. The second fourth down penalty occurred on a successful 35 yard field goal by the Lions. Goddard accepted the penalty and completed the drive on the first play of the second quarter. A seven yard run tied the game with 11:56 to go in the first half.
The Hays offense that hadn't touched the field yet needed just one play to get the lead back. Braxton Basgall took off on a 75 yard rushing touchdown to score on the first offensive play of the game for the Indians at the 11:37 mark of the second quarter.
The Hays defense buckled down from that point with a three and out and two more interceptions. Joey Dintino and Basgall each picked off a pass. Basgall scored twice more on the ground, both times from two yards out to push the lead out to 28-7 by halftime.
Highlights
Hays started the second half with the ball and wasted little time getting into the end zone. Joey Dintino found Brogan Albers open for a 52 yard touchdown pass on third down. Goddard responded back with a quick drive of two plays. A 65 yard touchdown run made the scored 35-14 with 9:23 left in the third quarter.
Those were the final points of the game for the Lions.
Hays added ten more points through the rest of the game. Archer Amrein ended a 9 play 74 yard drive with a two yard touchdown run to make the score 42-14.
Goddard started a pair of drives in Hays territory but came away empty on a turnover on downs and an interception.
The final points of the game came off the leg of Mason Zimmerman. He had already made six extra points before trying his first career field goal attempt. He made the attempt from 27 yards for the final difference of 45-14.
Coach Tony Crough
Amrein and Basgall ran for over 100 yards. Amrein for 135 and Basgall at 140. Dintino threw for 101 yards on four completions.
Hays will play Kapaun (10-0) in the quarterfinals next week in Wichita.
5A Scores and matchups
West
(9) Hutchinson 7, (1) Andover 10
(12) Maize South 7, (4) Bishop Carroll 34
(7) Salina Central 28, (2) Kapaun 70
(11) Goddard 14, (3) Hays 45
East
(8) St. James 17, (1) De Soto (21)
(5) Blue Valley 42, (4) KC Washington (0)
(10) Blue Valley North 20, (2) Spring Hill 33
(6) KC Piper 14, (3) Basehor-Linwood 41
Quarterfinals
Bishop Carroll (9-1) at Andover (10-0)
Hays (9-1) at Kapaun (10-0)
Blue Valley (8-2) at De Soto (10-0)
Basehor-Linwood (8-2) at Spring Hill (9-1)