By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
HAYS - Hays High hosted Valley Center to open postseason play on Friday night. As the six seed the Indians hosted the Hornets who were the eleven seed.
Hays High blocked a punt for a safety on the first offensive drive of the game for Valley Center opening up the scoring for the Indians in a 31-14 victory over the Hornets.
Dalton Meyers deflected the ball 30 yards out of the back of the end zone less than two minutes into the game.
Hays took the ensuing drive inside the five yard line but turned the ball over on downs. Valley Center couldn't do anything with their next drive and the Indians took advantage. Carter Graham hit Jarek Purdy for a 31 yard score and a 9-0 score.
Valley Center broke one big play in the first half on a 97 yard pass for a 9-7 score. Hays answered right back but it looked like rough at first. The Indians faced a 3rd and 20 when Graham found Ian McGuire on a 61 yard screen pass. The same two hooked up for an 11 yard score, again on third down to put the Indians up 16-7 at halftime.
The Hornets opened the second half with an onside kick that was recovered by Meyers. Hays went on a 10 play scoring drive that took 4:47 off the clock and was capped off by a four yard Malik Bah run. A two point conversion pushed the scored to 24-7.
Valley Center answered back with a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter closing the gap down to 24-14. Another long drive by Hays resulted in points and time coming off the clock. The Indians covered 70 yards in 12 plays over 5:08 to take a 31-14 lead. Again it was McGuire on a reception of a Graham pass, this time for 18 yards on 4th and 9.
Wyatt Kirkpatrick intercepted a tipped pass to let the Indian offense run out the clock.
Bah rushed for 142 yards on 35 carries. He now owns the career rush attempts record at 405, passing David Cardinal who had 395. Graham threw for 155 yards and three touchdowns on 10 of 12 passing. McGuire hauled in four passes for 96 yards, scoring twice and rushing for another 47 yards.
Hays will travel to Goddard to take on Eisenhower who beat Andover.