Hays High honored their seniors Friday night during the final home game of the regular season. The Indians hosted the Liberal Redskins to finish out Western Athletic Conference play.
Each team scored a touchdown in the first half but were unable to get the point after. Carter Graham found Johnny Cano in the back of the end zone for a five yard score with :58 seconds left in the first quarter. Cano made a 38 yard reception earlier in the drive as he toe-tapped prior to going out of bounds.
Hays was unable to get the kick away on the extra point try and a pass on the scramble play floated out of the back of the end zone.
Liberal got their score on one play. Freshmen quarterback Tevin Cotter went over the top of the Hays defense to James Fieser for 74 yards with 1:39 left before halftime. Kamani Jones blocked the extra point to keep the game tied at six.
Highlights
Liberal grabbed an eight point lead on a 90 yard pass when Cotter connected with Fieser for a second time. The two point conversion put the Redskins up 14-6.
Hays strung together 10 plays on their next drive that marched 62 yards for a touchdown. Graham found Holden Lind in the back left corner of the end zone on a 12 yard pass. Carson Moore knocked through the extra point to cut the lead down to 14-13 with 3:00 left in the third quarter.
The Indians took the lead back in the fourth quarter. Graham and Cano connected for a second time. This time on a double-move 29 yard score. The two point conversion failed leaving Hays with a 19-14 advantage with 6:40 left in the game.
Liberal turned the ball over on downs giving Hays a chance to end the contest on their own terms. The Redskins though jarred the ball free on a third down passing attempt and then returned it for a touchdown. Liberal's two point conversion was no good leaving the score at 20-19.
Hays had two more chances with the ball but turned it over on downs on the first attempt and then had the game come to a close on their last effort.
Coach Tony Crough
Carter Graham threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns. Johnny Cano caught 13 passes for 167 yards and two scores. Liberal's Tevin Cotter threw for 219 yards. James Fieser caught three passes for 181 yards and touchdowns.
Hays had 359 yards. Liberal compiled 269 yards. 164 of their yards came on their two offensive touchdowns.
Hays falls to 4-4 on the season and finishes conference play at 2-2. Liberal also goes 2-2 in the WAC and improves to 6-2 overall.
Hays will be on the road in week nine at an opponent to be determined at the time of this article.