Following what amounted to a bye week in the middle of their season, Hays High played their postponed homecoming game by hosting Dodge City on Friday.
The Indians showed no rust scoring on the first play of the game. Dylan Dreiling took the ball over the right side for a 79 yard score that was followed by a two point conversion from 18 yards out by Jaren Kanak. The scoreboard read 8-0 just nineteen seconds into the game.
Dodge City failed to convert on fourth down inside their own 40 on the next drive. Hays though fumbled just two plays later at the 11. Neither offense could get a foothold for much of the first half following the fumble.
The Hays High defense that allowed just 41 yards in the last outing held Dodge City to two first downs in the first half and only 36 yards. The Red Demons had 4th and 25 from their own one yard line and elected to run the ball out of the end zone for a safety and a 10-0 Hays lead.
The Indians hit big on the ensuing drive. Jordan Dale found Kanak from 38 yards out and a 17-0 lead following the Jack Field PAT. Hays threatened to score again at the end of the first half after picking up a fumble but lost the ball on down at the Dodge City 19 yard line.
Highlights
Hays held Dodge City to a punt to start second half and took over at their own five yard line. Eleven plays later Dreiling scored from eighteen yards out, his second touchdown of the night and a 23-0 lead.
The defense continued to hold Dodge City without points until 9:51 left to go in the game when Alden Knedler hit Matt Friess for a 17 yard pass and a 23-6 Hays advantage.
Linebacker Dalton Dale scored the final points for the Indians with a long interception returned for a touchdown with less than a minute remaining for the final 29-6 score.
Coach Tony Crough
Hays claimed the Western Athletic Conference crown for the first time since 2014. It also the first time since that season that Hays started at least 5-0.
Dreiling ended the night with 180 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Dale threw for 96 yards a score.
The Indians go on the road next week for a game against Maize South.