By DUSTIN ARMBRUSTER
Hays Post
HAYS - Hays High resumed Western Athletic Conference play with Garden City on Friday night at Lewis Field Stadium and just like two of their first three games this season, it came down to the wire with Garden City kicking a field goal in overtime following an Indian fumble and beating the Indians 24-21.
Hays High opened the game without any running backs that had taken a hand off in high school football. Malik Bah and Ian McGuire both could not play.
The Indians struck first on a Zane Viegra touchdown rush of four yards with 4:54 remaining. Hays took advantage of a short field after a 31 yard punt return by Jarek Purdy.
Garden City tied the game up on their ensuing drive. The Buffaloes capped a 10 play 69 yard drive with a one yard run to the game at seven. Garden City scored the only points of the second quarter on a ten yard pass play that ended a 12 play 40 yard drive.
Hays tied the game early in the third quarter after Garden City turned the ball over on down inside their own 25 yard line. Carter Graham's pass to the end zone was tipped but caught by Braeden Moeckel.
The Hays defense held Garden City without any third quarter points and for most of the fourth quarter as well. The Indian offense drove the field but threw a red zone interception on a tipped pass in the end zone. Garden City tried to the run the ball out and was stopped at the one yard line.
Three plays later the Buffaloes hadn't moved the ball and punted from the back of their own end zone. Hays blocked the punt and the ball was recovered by Wyatt Kirkpatrick for a Hays 21-14 lead.
Garden City needed just six plays to navigate 82 yards to tie the game. Two of their three biggest yardage plays came on the drive. A wide receiver reverse went for 28 yards after it looked like the Indians had made the stop in the backfield. The very next play Garden City ran for 44 yards. They tied the game shortly after at 21 with 2:04 remaining.
In overtime Hays fumbled at the one yard line and Garden City kicked a 20 yard field goal on fourth down for the 24-21 final.
Hays falls to 2-2, 1-1. Garden City is 3-1, 1-0.
Hays is at home next week for a homecoming game with Ulysses.