Turnovers help Hays rally to surprise Scott City
Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Two things that can hold a team back are turnovers and penalties. Unfortunately for Scott City, both happened, especially in the second half. Give credit to Hays though, as they converted three fourth down passes for touchdowns to rally for 21 fourth quarter points to knock off the Beavers 31-21 to start the 2016 season. Ironically, the last home-opening loss for Scott City was against Hays in 2003, the last time the teams met up.
Hays scored the first 10 points of the game, including a touchdown on their opening drive. A 10-play, 54-yard drive was ended by a Kohlton Meyers six-yard touchdown run with 4:48 remaining int he first quarter, as Logan Clark booted in the PAT to make it 7-0 Indians. Clark would tack on a field goal from 20 yards out with 2:51 remaining before the break to make it 10-0 Hays.
Scott City would grab the momentum late in the first half, driving down the field on an 11-play, 62-yard drive, converting a pair of third downs. From the five yard line, Bo Hess fired a bullet to Justin Faurot to make it 10-6 Hays, as Gustavo Gonzales knocked in the extra point.
After holding the Indians to a three-and-out to start the second half, the Beavers marched it down the field and took their first lead of the game. On fourth and one from the Hays two Wyatt Hayes punched it in from two yards out to make it 14-10 Scott City, following the Gonzales kick with 5:56 remaining in the third quarter. On the ensuing drive, the Indians would fumble at their own 12, giving the Beavers excellent field position. On third down from the 10, Jarrett Jurgens dove in on the right side to give Scott City a two-score lead at 21-10 with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter. Just when you think the Beavers have the momentum after forcing another three-and-out, Hays began forcing turnovers late in the third quarter.
With 10:35 remaining in the game, Hays started their rally. On fourth down and two from the Scott City 29, Hunter Brown found Collyn Kreutzer for a touchdown, who juggled the reception before hauling in, and it was 21-17 after the Clark kick. On the second play of the drive after their second procedure penalty, the Beavers fumbled the ball and it was recovered at the Scott City 17 by Hays. The Indians would face another fourth down from the Beaver 25, and would convert their second fourth down for a touchdown. Brown would throw it up to Shane Berens about five yards deep in the end zone, as he wrestled it away from a Scott City defender, and the Indians took the lead at 24-21 following the Clark PAT with 7:12 remaining.
The Beavers marched it down the field on their next drive, but threw an interception in a desperation play on fourth down. Scott City (0-1) had one more chance after forcing Hays to punt with 2:25 remaining. The Indians saw Kreutzer pick off Hess as re returned it to the Scott City 18 yard line. On fourth down from the 20, Hays (1-0) put the dagger in for good. Their third fourth down conversion in the quarter saw Brown connect with Berens again, this time carrying a pair of Beavers into the end zone to give Hays a 31-21 lead, following the Clark extra point kick with 35 seconds remaining.
For Hays, Hunter Brown was 10-10 passing for 140 yards and three touchdown passes, two to Shane Berens. Berens had five catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns, while Kohlton Meyers led the ground attack with 12 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown. Hays ended up with 245 yards of offense.
Scott City saw Bo Hess go 9-22 for 128 yards, with a touchdown and three interceptions. Justin Faurot had four grabs for 58 yards and a touchdown. Wyatt Hayes led the Beaver ground attack with 99 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Scott City had 303 yards of offense in the game.
Scott City will visit Holcomb next Friday night to open GWAC play. The Longhorns thumped Cimarron 55-13. Hays will travel to rival Great Bend to begin WAC play. The Panthers routed Coffeyville 57-13.
Coach Jim Turner Postgame
