Hays running back Holden Lind ran for 310 yards and five touchdowns as the Hays Indians defeated the Liberal Redskins 49-28 on a foggy Senior Night at Redskin Field. The Indians built a 28-0 lead on the way to the win. The Redskins showed fight late and Tevin Cotter threw three touchdown passes to James Fieser in the loss.
The Indians jumped on the Redskins early for a 21-0 lead after one quarter as Lind had a four yard TD run at the 7:32 mark, Braxton Basgal a 10 yard scoring run at the 4:26 mark, and another Lind 5 yard run with 1:00 remaining in the quarter. The Angry Red defense got a 4th and 2 stop to begin the second quarter. But LHS was unable to take advantage. Hays quarterback Zane Viegra found Jarek Purdy for a 16 yard touchdown pass at the 5:03 mark of the 2nd quarter to lead 28-0. Tevin Cotter found James Fieser for a four yard score with 22 second remaining in the half. A high snap led to a missed PAT and it was 28-6 at the half. Hays picked up where they left off in the third quarter as Lind took in a 14 yard run at the 7:17 mark to make it 35-6. Cotter’s six yard toss to Fieser with two seconds remaining in the third quarter to make it 35-12. LHS recovered an onside kick to begin the third quarter. But Caleb Thompson of Hays intercepted a Liberal pass. Lind took in a nine yard score at the 7:18 mark to make it 42-12. A 19 yard Tevin Cotter run with 6:14 to play in the game made it 42-18 and a Cotter pass to Brenton Spahn-Hardman for a two point conversion made it 42-20. Lind’s 43 yard gallop made it 49-20 with 5:26 to play. Cotter found Fieser for a six yard score at the 1:57 mark to make it 49-28 when Betts ran in the two.
Hays is 6-2 and finishes 3-1 in the WAC. The Indians win the tie breaker over Liberal. HHS wins at Liberal for a ninth straight time. Liberal is 6-2 and finishes 2-2 in the WAC. Liberal hosts Topeka Seaman Friday at the Gary Cornelsen Sports Complex at a time to be announced.
