By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
HAYS - The 2022 football season for Hays High opened by hosting the Junction City Blue Jays at Lewis Field Stadium.
Junction City jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter after the Indians had taken their first drive of the season down to the three yard line but failed to score.
The Blue Jays first scored on a tipped pass on 4th and 23 then a 52 yard pass on 3rd and 6. Hays responded back with a Kyrese Groen pass to Johnny Cano for 21 yards on 3rd and 6 to close the gap to 14-7.
Junction City scored with just 1:56 left before halftime to regain a two score lead at 21-7. Hays though stole some momentum back with a Groen five yard run with :17 left and closing the gap down to 21-14 at halftime.
Highlights
The Hays defense did not allow a single score in the second half on five Junction City drives. The Blue Jays could not convert on fourth down three times in the half.
Hays got three Malik Bah touchdown runs of 57, 16 and 46 yards. The second scoring run gave the Indians the lead for the first time while the final score finalized the victory.
Coach Tony Crough
Bah ran for 273 yards and three scores on 31 carries. Groen rushed for 154 on 23 carries including one touchdown. Groen threw for another 105 yards, one score to Johnny Cano and one interception.
The Indians outgained Junction City 544 to 322.
Hays improves to 1-0 and will travel to Great Bend next week. Junction City is 0-1 and is home to Dodge City in seven days.