By JAYCEE DALE
GODDARD — The Hays High School football team started the season proving it could be a contender in Class 5A this fall.
The Indians opened the 2020 season with a 19-10 win over Goddard Eisenhower on Thursday night on the road.
Hays High (1-0) had to overcome a rough start early after giving up a safety to Eisenhower to fall behind 2-0.
It wasn’t the start the Indians wanted, but the team’s defense kept the game within reach.
Hays High got on the board with a rushing touchdown by junior running back Roy Moroni. Jackson Fields missed the PAT attempt, leaving HHS ahead 6-2.
The start of the second quarter was a struggle for both teams, with neither scoring until Hays High quarterback Dylan Dreiling overcame a weak snap and completed a 40-yard pass to junior Jaren Kanak.
After Fields’ PAT was good, that gave HHS a 13-2 lead heading into halftime.
But Eisenhower wasn’t ready to give in and made it a game in the third quarter. The Indians were given multiple attempts for a touchdown in the third quarter but fell short many times due to penalties.
The Tigers used a long drive and a successful two-point conversion to pull within 13-10, trimming into Hays High’s lead.
Indians were still cold on offense in the final quarter before putting the game away with a solid drive late.
With three minutes remaining, Kanak caught his second TD pass of the game. The PAT was unsuccessful, but the Indians led 19-10.
With time still on the clock, the HHS defense came up big once again.
Junior linebacker Gavin Meyers sealed the win for Hays High with a diving interception near the sideline, spoiling the Tigers’ hopes of a miracle comeback.
Hays High is on the road again next week, facing WAC rival Great Bend.
