By Moses Leos III
After battling in the 4A ranks, Hays CISD athletic teams were dealt a reality check in 6A play during the 2014 fall season.
For the first time in nearly two decades, no Hays CISD football or volleyball team advanced to postseason play. In addition, no Hays CISD football or volleyball team finished above .500 overall or in district play to finish the season.
Chalk it up to the level of talent in a rough and tumble 6A district.
In football, district champion Lake Travis and runner-up Bowie continue their quest for a state title.
But the lead-up to the end of the season was just as captivating. All nine 14-6A squads were a part of the battle for playoff positioning. Both Hays and Lehman had equal chances to maintain hopes of a playoff berth. It wasn’t until week ten when the playoff picture finally settled.
In volleyball, both Hays CISD teams dealt with parity in district play as well. As front-runners Westlake, Lake Travis and Bowie pulled away, Hays, Austin, Anderson and Del Valle fought for the final playoff spot.
And, much like their counterparts on the gridiron, the volleyball playoff landscape didn’t settle until the final third of the regular season.
As Hays CISD schools now shift to the winter sports season, let’s take a look back at how the fall sports fared.
Hays football
Battling back from a 0-3 start wasn’t enough for the Hays Rebels to avoid the program’s first losing season since 2009.
Led by the rushing efforts of Cody Gandy, Hays responded from their tough beginning, rattling off three straight wins over Del Valle, Lehman and Anderson at the season’s midpoint.
But a last second loss to Austin High spelled the beginning of the end for the Rebels.
Hays followed the Austin loss with back-to-back defeats to Bowie and Westlake, which effectively placed Hays out of the playoff picture.
Lehman football
Despite going 1-9, the Lehman Lobos were able to make history as senior quarterback Jeremy Schilhab became the first Lobo to rush and pass for 1,000 yards.
But Schilhab’s effort wasn’t enough in the program’s first jaunt into 6A.
The inability to keep opposing defenses off the scoreboard was the demise for the Lobos. Lehman allowed eight of their ten opponents to score 40 or more points against them.
Despite defensive issues, Lehman continued to battle; it led to several high-scoring games, including their wild 63-56 loss to Austin High.
Hays volleyball
It was an up-and-down year for the Hays Lady Rebel volleyball team, led by first year head coach Stephanie Coates.
While Hays battled down the stretch, the program couldn’t make the postseason for the first time since the year 2000.
Hays fought through a tough non-district slate, which included eventual 5A state semifinalist Dripping Springs. They capped off non-district play with a fourth place finish at the Rebel Bash.
But district play proved to be a challenge for the Lady Rebels. Hays went 2-5 before rebounding for a key three game win streak. However, Hays dropped four of their last six matches, including a 3-2 loss to Austin High on Oct. 10.
Lehman volleyball
The jump to 6A was perhaps the toughest on the Lehman Lady Lobos volleyball team. After notching a pair of district wins last year in 4A, Lehman couldn’t find the win column in 2014.
It marks the third time in four years Lehman has gone without a district win.
Despite the struggles, Lehman was able to gain experience on the court, guided by seniors Angel Cruz and Ofelia Negrete.
Cruz and junior Cheynne Morgan led the team in kills, while junior Kynslee Noriega led in assists. Negrete and junior Kali Palomarez were leaders in digs and passing.
Hays Football: 4-6, 4-4
Stat leaders
Passing
Braeden Kent – 116/205; 1,478 yards; 12 touchdowns; 5 interceptions
Rushing
Cody Gandy – 129 attempts; 950 yards; 12 touchdowns
Braeden Kent – 159 attempts; 618 yards; 10 touchdowns
Jackson Effiom – 56 attempts; 363 yards; 2 touchdowns
Receiving
Grayson Rigsby – 34 receptions; 512 yards; 1 touchdown
Brandon Hunter – 31 receptions; 461 yards; 7 touchdowns
Cody Gandy – 22 receptions; 285 yards; 2 touchdowns
Lehman Football: 1-9, 1-7
Stat leaders
Passing
Jeremy Schilhab – 105/222; 1,679 yards; 14 touchdowns, 11 interceptions
Rushing
Jeremy Schilhab – 221 attempts; 1075 yards; 14 touchdowns
JR Torres – 84 attempts; 366 yards; 3 touchdowns
Brett Wagner – 34 attempts; 242 yards; 3 touchdowns
Receiving
Jay Sayles – 41 receptions; 832 yards; 12 touchdowns
Jon Herrera – 27 receptions 373 yards
JR Torres – 14 receptions; 164 yards
Hays Volleyball: 18-28, 7-9
Stat leaders
Kills
Mackenzie Coates – 276 kills; 627 attempts; 104 errors
Shanon Park – 250 kills; 764 attempts; 134 errors
Digs
Kathryn Wristen – 358 digs
Kara Conn – 228 digs
Assists
Kathryn Wristen – 1,124 assists
At top: Hays Rebel junior running back Cody Gandy (28) stiff arms Del Valle Cardinal senior Dashawn Green (18) during the two team’s contest on September 19. (Photo by Tracy Stirman) Lehman Lobo senior quarterback Jeremy Schilhab (9) escapes an Austin High defender en route to the goal line during the team’s contest against Austin High on Oct. 30. (Photo by Nathan Latsha) Lady Rebel senior setter Kathryn Wristen dives in an attempt to make a defensive play during the Rebel Bash at Hays High school. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton). Lady Lobo senior libero Ofelia Negrete (above) prepares to score a dig during an early season game at Lobo Gym. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
