Story by MAYAN PAZ Photos by ANNABELLE MALSAM
Tiger Media Network
After going 3-2 to start the season with Jack Dawson as the starting quarterback, the Fort Hays State University football team decided to make a switch. Prior to Saturday’s showdown against No. 12 Central Missouri, FHSU named Caleb Heavner as the starter after playing just over three quarters in FHSU’s last game against UCO.
Heavner performed well above expectations with a near-perfect game, throwing for 302 yards and two touchdowns on 24-30 attempts. He also led the team in rushing with 97 yards on the ground and sealed the game for the Tigers with a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Heavner, a sophomore from Denison, Texas, played sparingly prior to his breakout game against UCO. He rushed the ball seven times for 31 yards and one touchdown and completed 5-6 passes for 30 yards in the first three games of the season. However, it was his play against the Bronchos on Sept. 28 – where he went 22-33 for 275 yards and one touchdown – that Heavner impressed enough to be given a chance to start against UCM.
“We thought about starting him after the UCO game,” said FHSU Head Coach Chris Brown. “But the decision was made during the practice week. We wanted to give Caleb and Jack a chance to compete for the position.”
Saturday against UCM was not only an important game for FHSU’s playoff hopes, but it was also homecoming weekend. More than 7,000 fans attended the game, the largest attendance since 2018.
Brown was impressed with Heavner’s ability to perform under additional pressure, but as much as Heavner himself was concerned, this game was no different than others.
“I try to play my best whether we play in front of 20 people or a hundred thousand,” Heavner said. “I can’t let that in my head, and I need to focus solely on my game regardless of the occasion.”
Heavner made several important plays during the game and demonstrated versatility, running the ball and moving the offense forward, but he refused to take credit for himself.
“It was a team effort, and I couldn’t make those plays without them,” he said.
However, Brown was keen to compliment Heavner on the individual decisions he made during the game and his ability to read and anticipate plays after the snap.
“We trusted him to make those decisions, and he was creative after the snap. He was very good for us today,” Brown said.
Even though Heavner impressed in his starting debut, he and Jack Dawson are still going to compete for the position for the rest of the season. Brown emphasized the importance of the competition for the players.
“We want to have the best player on the field every week,” he said. “Caleb has to stay humble and work hard.”
The Tigers, with either Heavner or Dawson leading the charge, will have another home game this weekend. FHSU hosts Washburn at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday at Lewis Field Stadium.
You must be logged in to post a comment.