By GAVIN FLASKA
Tiger Media Network
In an era dominated by the passing game, the Hays High School football team is proving a powerful running attack still wins football games.
Led by a strong rushing attack, Hays High has found success powering the ball up the middle and establishing a potent ground game. In last week’s 22-21 win against Class 6A powerhouse Derby, Holden Lind rushed for two touchdowns.
With Hays High’s Week 2 matchup against the Choctaw Yellowjackets, the Indians will be relying on their running game once again.
Lind had 32 carries for 164 yards and the two scores, averaging 5.1 yards per carry against Derby.
For several years, the rushing attack has been a mainstay of the Tony Crough-led football team.
His offenses have featured talented running backs through the years such as Roy Moroni, Malik Bah and currently Lind. Each season, the Indians find a powerful runner to lead the charge.
Moroni averaged 79 yards per game his senior year. Bah’s best season came his junior year, where he averaged 114 yards per game, according to MaxPreps.
Lind had huge shoes to fill with the two previous backs. His team was there to support him, including a key offensive line crew.
“It’s a special feeling knowing your team has your back and to know that they trust me every single play to do the right thing and be that workhorse for the team,” Lind said. “It’s just super special.”
In his first starting role last season, Lind proved he was more than ready to take on the load of leading the rushing attack.
He averaged 123.5 yards per game in the 2024 season and led HHS to an 8-5 record and a shot at the state title, where the team lost to undefeated St. Thomas Aquinas.
Even the quarterbacks are featured in the running game under offensive coordinator Cole Cherryholmes.
Past players, such as Jaren Kanak, Kyreese Groen and Indians’ current QB Zane Viegra, have had pivotal roles in the offense.
Viegra, a senior starting for the first time as quarterback for the Indians, believes his running ability can aid the team in a positive way.
“When I run the ball, it can help extend plays with my legs,” he said. “Or in the case of designed runs, they rely on me and trust me to have the ball and get those few extra yards for a first down or whatever the situation may be.”
Viegra ended the game with 17 carries for 17 yards, but a few bad snaps and sacks hindered the stat line significantly. He had multiple carries go for more than 10 yards in the team’s victory over Derby.
One of a quarterback’s strongest characteristics is the ability to lead a team. Viegra takes that responsibility head-on.
“I can help lead my team,” he said. “In the Derby game, I saw some of our guys get down. And I just tried to keep the team morale up and … keep the guys going, keep them moving and keep our composure.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday against Choctaw at the new Hays High field.
This story was written as part of INF 322: Sports Writing, a course in the Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University.