By CAYDEN SANDERS
Tiger Media Network
File Photo
For the Hays High football team, this season is about showing they have something to prove. The Indians are 2-1 through three games and are coming off a 10-8 loss to 6A No.1 Manhattan last Friday after starting the season with wins over Derby and Choctaw (Oklahoma).
“We kind of thought we could play with some good teams. We didn’t know we could beat two of them and potentially beat three of them. It was one play away from beating Manhattan as well,” said HHS Head Coach Tony Crough. “All three of those games came down to one play. What’s so crazy about it is we had maybe the toughest opening three games any team in Western Kansas has ever had.”
Crough looked back at the preseason and what the expectation was when looking at the schedule.
“I think it proved to us that we could play with anybody. We could have lost all three games, we still would have thought we were a good football team,” Crough said. “We thought if we could win one of them, we’d be really pleased. We really did not anticipate being a play away from winning all three of them. So we’re really pleased where we’re at. We have to make sure we carry that momentum forward.”
Derby was No.1 in 6A when Hays defeated them 22-21 on the road to open the season. Then the Indians played their first-ever home football game at Hays High School against 6A-DII Choctaw, winning 21-19 after a furious defensive comeback.
“It was cool. It was a moment that I feel like the town of Hays has been waiting for for a long time, at least since I’ve been here,” Crough said. “I kind of felt like it all came to fruition that night. It seemed like, with the high-caliber opponent we were playing and all the fireworks and the things that went into the game. It was just a really good community experience for our whole town.”
After the game, the Indians felt that a weight was lifted off their shoulders after the community came out to support the football team for a special event.
“We weren’t even sure that winning or losing that game was a huge deal. Obviously, it always helps when you win; it’s a cherry on top. But I think just everybody witnessing such an event, that had to be one of the larger high school events in Hays High’s history,” Crough said. “Just because you opened up a facility, three to four thousand people roaming around. It was a huge community event that the town of Hays hasn’t had opportunities to have, especially around the game of football.”
The Indians welcome Western Athletic Conference foe Garden City to town for Hays’’ homecoming game on Friday.
“The last game prepared us for the chaos of what could happen when we are in an atmosphere, big environment, I’m sure there’ll be some, some really big atmospheres like that again, but I don’t know if it’ll ever be like that for a while,” Crough said. “There’ll be a lot of fans here because of Homecoming, but I think it’ll come back down to earth a little bit, just a normal feel of a Friday night football game, and we will settle into our new home.”
While the Buffaloes are 1-2 on the season, last week Garden City had a comeback win against Wichita Heights, winning 39-28.
“They were down in the fourth quarter, pretty big last week, they did not want to start their season 0-3. We think they’re kind of riding high with the way they finished up that game and gave them some confidence. They’re better than they were last year,” Crough said. “They’ve got some good pieces, and they’re doing good things with a coaching staff. We expect them to come in and give us their best.”
For Hays High Activities Director Chris Drees, planning for the event was tough as opinions flooded in for and against having Hays High’s homecoming the same weekend as Fort Hays State.
“Before I even worked my first day here, I’d gotten emails, a lot in support of having homecoming on the same weekend as Fort Hays, and a lot in opposition. Ultimately, we don’t decide that based on when Fort Hays’ homecoming is. Sometimes they fall on the same weekend, sometimes they don’t,” Drees said. “We try to do what’s best for us, knowing that it’s not going to work out for everybody. Obviously, we can’t control a lot of that, but the town’s going to be buzzing with people. So what a great weekend to be in Hays. Hopefully it works out well for everyone.”
Not only has the football team been planning for the game, the Hays High Student Council has been hard at work planning for homecoming.
“Mr. Landmark (Co-Student Council Advisor) said the other day that he has over 200 StuCo members, which is crazy. That’s over 20% of our school. I know the effort that’s gone on by the advisors, the class sponsors, and the student body to make this all happen. It makes me proud to see the hard work everyone has been putting in,” Drees said. “Homecoming is a pretty special event for the kids, and it rallies around football. Hopefully, they have, probably a big, if not a little bit bigger, crowd for homecoming. Kids have been crazy all week, dressing up every day for their different homecoming days.”
Hays High’s parade is set for 5 p.m. tonight on Main Street in Hays. Kickoff between the Indians and the Buffaloes is set for 7 p.m. tonight at Hays High School.