Hays vs. Hutch

by KENDALL KANDT

Hays High Guidon

For the first time in 16 years the Indians are in KSHSAA 5A playoffs. They start out their playoff berth against the Salthawks of Hutchinson. The Salthawks have won the 5A state championship two of the past three years and 4 more  in 6A the years before that. The Indians come into the game the top seed after going undefeated in district play. This game should be pretty intense and be a good one.

The Indians will kick. #82 Kevin Rivera kicks to Hutch's #12 Braydon Wells for a 11 yard return. Hutch gets a first down on a 17 yard run, then again on a 10 yard run. Hutch fumbles and recovers for a loss of 11 yards. Hutch fumbles at the Indian's 3 yard line, Indians take over.

Indians are forced to punt on fourth down after no real gain. #11 Austin Unrein punts to Hutch for a 1 yard return. Offside on the Indians for a Hutch gain of 5 yards. Salthawks gain 9 yards and then another 15 for two consecutive 1st downs. Hutch quarterback gets sacked for no loss. Ja'mon Cotton punches into the end zone for a touchdown and they get ake the extra point. 7-0 Hutch

After a kick that almost ended in Hutch getting back the football, the Indians tale over at their own 32 yard line. QB Austin Unrein runs for 55 yards for a 1st down. Hand off to #25 David Cardinal ends in an Indians touchdown. Extra Point by Rivera is good. 7-7

Indians kick to the Salthawks ends with Brady Wells returning to the Salthawk 38 yard line. Tanner Higgins gets a first down for the Salthawks for 11 yards. Ja'mon Cotton gets a 14 yard gain and 1st down. Hutch fumbles and #2 Jake Sedbrook of the Indians recover.

Unrein passes to Cardinal for a 34 yard gain by the Indians. Unrein has a 19 yard keep for a Hays High touchdown. Extra Point is good. 14-7 Indians.

Indians kick to #33 Dakota Brower of Hutch ends at the Hutch 42 yard line. Cotton runs the ball in for a 55 yard touchdown. PAT s good. 14-14

Hutch kicks to Hays with #22 Seth Junk picking it up at Indian's 16 yard line. Indians punt from their 35 yard line.

Kick lands out of bounds at the Salthawks 30 yard line. Cotton picks up a first down on short gain. End of 1st quarter.

Salthawks get a first down ending at the Indian's 22 yard line. Cotton gets another 1st down to the13 yard line. Salthawks fumble with the Indian's Mark Mathis recovering.

Indians fumble the ball on 1st down, but recover 2nd down. Indians are forced to punt from their 8 yard line.

Salthawks call fair catch at the Indian's 40 yard line. Hutch gets a first down after a 22 yard run. Cotton grabs a 1st down at the 5 yard line. False start on Hutch for a 5 yard loss. Hutch fumbles and Hays recovers again.

David Cardinal starts the series off with a 12 yard 1st down run. Mark Mathis comes back and gets another 1st down putting Hays at the 29 yard line. Hays runs the ball another 25 yards for another 1st down. Holding against the Indians for a loss of  10 yards, which is unfortunate. Indians go for it on 4th down and miss the catch. Hutch ball on their own 38 yard line.Hutch gets 4 1st downs to arrive at the 8 yard line. Touchdown Salthawks by Cotton. PAT is good. 21-14 Hutch.

Kickoff to the Indians fielded by Cardinal ends after fair catch call. Indians take it at their own 19 yard line. Halftime 21-14 Hutch.

Hutch kicks to Dylan Scoby at the 34 yard line. Indians punt with Hutch returning tot heir own 40 yard line.

Hutch punts to Adam Deterding who fair catches at the Indian's 19 yard line. The Indians drive is cut short and will be forced to punt to the Hays 45 yard line.

Indians get a personal foul called on them for 15 yards to the Hawks. After an 8 yard run the Hawks get one last 1st down for the drive. Touchdown Hawks from a 1 yard drive. PAT is no good. 27-14 Hutch.

Hutch kicks to Hays with Dustin Petz down at the Hays 32. Indians are forced to punt with a penalty on the Salthawks with them taking the ball at their own 15 yard line. another block in the back on Hutch on a first down play, which brings them to their 34 yard line. Tanner Higgins tackled in the backfield for a loss of 8 yards. Hutch punts on 4th down with Hays taking it at the Hays 49 yard line. End of 3rd Quarter 27-14 Hutch.

Indians get a 1st down putting them at the Hawk's 39 yard line. Unrein gets a 13 yard run for a 1st down.

Salthawks take over on downs at their 21 yard line. Jake Sedbrook of the Indians recovers fumble for the Indians.

Hays takes the ball at the Hutch 23. Indian 1st down after a 1 yard. 3 yard run by Unrein ends in a Hays Touchdown.. PAT good. 27-21 Hutch.

Unrein kicks onside with Hutch taking it at their own 49 yard line. Turner carries for a very short gain to 1st down. Hutch carries for first down at the Hays 27. Cotton carries to the 17 for another 1st down. Cotton carries to 1st and Goal. Hutch kneels to end the game. Hutch wins 27-21.

The Hays first  playoff game in 16 years ends in disappointment. Hutch will move on in the playoffs and play again next Friday.

My Opinion: Saddening to say the least. Hays fought hard, but I think that, in the end what killed them, was not coming out with enough fire at the start of the second half. I was still glad to see them enter the playoffs, since the last time they did so I was 2 months old. This has been a great team to watch this season.