By JASON GORDON
The Lions should have found a way to sneak out of Rebel Country during the long homecoming halftime show.
Caleb Kimbro scored a career-high five touchdowns and rushed for 146 yards to lead the Rebels to a 56-6 homecoming win over Lockhart.
Kimbro was pulled early in the fourth quarter with Hays leading 49-6, but not before proving the shoulder injury that sidelined him for six quarters earlier in the season isn’t a factor anymore.
The victory gets Hays back on the winning track after the Rebels suffered their first loss at Kerrville Tivy last week.
“I’ve said it time and time before, Caleb is not only one of the best quarterbacks in Central Texas but in the state,” Hays head coach Blake Feldt said. “This is the best we’ve played all year and it’s not even close.”
The Rebels racked up 500 yards of total offense, including 400 on the ground.
“Our offensive line flat out dominated this game,” Kimbro said. “It’s easy to score when no one touches you.”
Kimbro scored Hays’ first five touchdowns, including a 2–yard dive with 12 seconds left in the first half to give the Rebels (5-1, 2-1 27-4A) a 21-6 lead at the break.
The Rebels broke the game open after Hays receiver Granger Studdard was crowned homecoming king and Kamryn Kent was crowned homecoming queen at halftime. Hays scored touchdowns on all four of its possessions in the third quarter.
Kimbro’s 49-yard pass to Shawn Leerssen set up his own 7-yard run. After Christian Rodriguez picked off a pass from Lockhart quarterback Charles Ereaux, Kimbro scored two plays later as he swept untouched into the end zone from 6-yards out and the Rebels, who never punted in the game, led 35-6.
Marco Solis, who added 119 rushing yards for Hays on only 11 carries, scored from 26 and 49 yards out to cap the Rebels scoring surge in the third quarter.
Kimbro said the victory was exactly what Hays needed after the loss to Tivy.
“We needed to win and we needed to win big,” Kimbro said. “We got the taste of losing in our mouths last week and it was sour. We don’t want to have that feeling again this season.”
Hays offensive lineman Reed Darragh said a team meeting players called during the week helped get the Rebs back on track.
“We got back to playing Rebel football tonight,” Darragh said. “When we do that we’re happy, our coaches are happy and our fans are happy. This was definitely a good night and one we can build on heading into next week.”
Curtis Hawkins led Lockhart (4-2, 1-2) with 123 rushing yards. The Rebel defense allowed the Lions to rush for 215 yards in the first half, but clamped down from there, allowing Lockhart only 59 total yards in the second half. The Lions were averaging nearly 42 points per game coming into the matchup.
Hays takes to the road to play at Clemens next Friday. The Buffaloes are 0-3 in district play after suffering a 22-16 loss to Seguin Friday night.