The Hays High Indians suffered a tough opening season loss at Junction City in overtime. But since then Hays has been all business, cranking out four straight wins by an average of more than three touchdowns.
The Indians would pick up right where they left of in the first quarter against Dodge City. Just two minutes in Preston Weigel goes 71 yards for the touchdown to put Hays up 7-0.
And then just two and a half minutes later, it's David Cardial going 82 yards for the score, 14-0 Hays.
The Demons looked like they might be able to hang with the Indians when the cut the lead in half on a 23 yard run by Blaik Middleton.
Hays then took to the air. Alex Delton hit Adam Deterding for a 72 yard strike to put them up 21-7 after one quarter.
Indians got a 27 yard field goal from Lane Clark to go up 24-7 and then Delton hit Emilio Mitchell for a 46 yard touchdown pass to put Hays up 31-7.
Just before the break Delton and Deterding connect again, this time for 15 yards and a touch. Indians took a 38-7 lead in to halftime.
Dodge played better in half number two. The Demons came out and scored first on a 12 yard pass from Kelan Newton to Dakota Duckett.
But the Indians answered right back with a 6 yard run by Cardinal.
Dodge would add another touchdown and a field goal to cut the lead to 45-24. But Hays would put it away on the third touchdown pass from Delton to Deterding. This one covered just 9 yards, but it put Hays up 52-24.
DC would add one more score once both teams put their JV out late in the game, to make it a 52-31 final.
"I thought our kids executed well," said Indians head coach Ryan Cornelsen. "We thought there were some plays that they were giving us. The kids just had to go out and execute the plan and they did that."
Deterding, who had a big night with five catches and three touchdowns says his success starts with the running game.
"When it happens you just want it every play, you don't want to give it up," said Deterding. "But obviously it's not going to be there for me without my line and without David (Cardinal), Alex (Delton) and Preston (Weigel) running the ball."
The Indians improve to 5-1 on the season. The will open district play next Friday at Great Bend. A win would also give them the outright WAC title.
"There's not a better environment then Hays vs Great Bend," said Cornelsen. "It's a big game it's always got district implications and WAC titles on the line. Our kids will be excited, their kids will be excited. It will be a great high school football game."
Dodge City falls to 3-3, they open district play at Maize.
