By Moses Leos III
One step forward, two steps back went the Hays Rebels Friday at Shelton Stadium.
That’s how Hays head coach Neal LaHue described the team’s struggles with consistency in their 27-14 loss to the San Antonio Reagan Rattlers in the Rebels’ final non-district contest.
But as Lake Travis makes its way to Shelton Stadium for Friday’s 25-6A district opener, LaHue said the message for his players continues to center on making the playoffs.
“It doesn’t matter what the record is now. It’s 0-0 now,” LaHue said. “We have two tough district openers. We as a team have to hang in there.”
Hays’ struggles Friday began early on, as Hays’ offense couldn’t find its groove. Hays was limited to 261 total yards in the game.
It allowed the Rattlers to take an early 10-0 lead in the second quarter before the Rebels battled back.
Hays orchestrated a seven play, 84-yard drive, capped off with a three yard touchdown from running back Cade Powell, which cut the Rattler lead to 10-7.
Leading the Rebels’ run game was Powell, who finished with 125 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Powell said the ability to read the Rattler defense, along with communicating with his linemen, allowed for success. LaHue said the Rebels focused on power running formations, as the Rattlers showed on film they were playing “five in the box.”
“Cade did a good job of hitting up in there and our offensive line did a good job in opening up some holes,” LaHue said.
But the Rebel passing game sputtered, as miscommunication and turnovers, along with a strong Rattler defense, stymied progress.
Powell said the team needed to slow down as they were trying to rush.
“Our offensive line is doing a good job and our pass blocking, we’re giving time (for the quarterback),” Powell said. “We just have to slow down a little. We’re trying to rush it too much. We need to not rush our routes and let the play develop.”
Hays’ inability to cultivate a rhythm allowed Reagan’s offense, led by quarterback Cade Bormet and running backs Marquis Duncan and John Carrington, to take advantage.
Reagan tallied the next ten points, allowing it to take a 27-7 lead.
Enter the Rebel defense, which held the Rattlers scoreless over the final 19-plus minutes of the game.
LaHue said the defense had a “great scheme” and was able to place pressure on Bormet following a long passing touchdown early in the game. He said the team’s linebackers filled the gaps “well and defensive lineman kept offensive lineman off of them.”
Hays defensive lineman Emmanuel Galvan-Vazquez said the team played faster and was mentally ready to start.
“We just came in with focus and got after it,” Galvan-Vazquez said. “We were faster on the line and it helped us a lot to get to the quarterback and running back to make plays.”
Keying on Duncan, who was one of the primary playmakers for the Rattlers, was also a focus, Galvan-Vazquez said.
Hays’ offense responded with a late 13 play, 74 yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter, but the Rebels couldn’t muster another point down the stretch.
LaHue said the team’s schedule helps as they prepare for district, so long as they can “keep the mental part together.”
Finishing is what Galvan-Vazquez believes is necessary.
“We have to be mentally ready and just go out there and lay it on the line,” Galvan-Vazquez said. “Everything has to be perfect to beat Lake Travis.
