By Moses Leos III.
After two times, once during the regular season, the Hays High Rebels couldn’t solve the Rouse Raider puzzle. This go around, it ended their 2013 season.
A dominant Rouse effort proved too much for Hays, which fell 35-10 on Friday night at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex in Round Rock. The loss marks the second straight year Hays has fallen in the area round to a 25-4A opponent at “The Palace”.
It also marks the Rebels’ second loss to the Raiders in a span of ten weeks.
Rouse held the upper hand, getting off to a hot start. They took the opening kickoff 68 yards in under three minutes. Running back Andre Alger punched in a nine-yard score, giving Rouse a 7-0 lead.
| At top, Hays linebacker Aaron Johnson (47) tries to bring down Leander Rouse quarterback Billy Ray McCrary (4) during Friday night’s area round playoff game at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex. A strong Rouse effort was too much, as Hays’ season ended in a 35-10 loss. It marked the second time Hays has fallen to Rouse in 2013. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
Stopping the Rouse run game was a struggle for the surefooted Rebel defense. Hays gave up a total of 324 total rushing yards, with Alger gaining 178 of those.
Hays defensive lineman Justin Diaz credited the Rouse offensive line for causing their struggles, but said the problem was his team pressing to play well.
“We were just trying to do our jobs.” Diaz said. “Everyone tried to do too much.”
Containing Alger and quarterback Billy Ray McCrary, who gained 140 yards, proved tough. Their speed, quickness and patience helped them find open lanes, often breaking containment.
Hays attempted a rally, as Payton Kisor kicked home a 27-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 7-3.
A Rouse turnover late in the first quarter gave Hays a chance to capture momentum.
Enter the Rouse defense, which stymied Hays all night. The Raider defense picked off a pass from quarterback Jeff Jordan, one of three interceptions he threw that night.
Little ground was given by Rouse, as they held Hays to 20 total rushing yards. Often, Raider defenders burst through the trenches, disrupting Hays’ offensive rhythm.
As a result, Hays was forced to throw the ball, with limited success. Jordan threw for 141 yards on 15 of 31 passing.
But Rouse’s defensive backs held their own against the Rebel pass attack.
“[Rouse] played hard and fast,” Jordan said. “They were ready for us.”
Successes on defense helped the Raider offense translate it into points.
Rouse took advantage of the turnover and drove 47 yards in five plays. Rouse quarterback McCrary capped it off with a two-yard touchdown run.
The Rebels were able to halt Rouse’s offense in the second quarter, forcing two punts and a missed field goal attempt at the end of the half.
Still, Hays went into halftime trailing 14-3.
The third quarter proved to be the breaking point. Rouse’s powerful run game was too much to hold down.
On the tenth play of the second half, Alger broke through and rumbled 91 yards to paydirt.
Hays then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, allowing McCrary to lead the Rouse offense into the end zone less than two minutes later.
It took only 4:32 for the Rebels to trail 28-3.
Success on the ground was the key for Raider head coach Joshua Mann. Rouse only gained 174 rush yards against Hays in their first meeting on Sept. 13. Friday saw his team find the open space, taking advantage of their speed and quickness.
“We told our kids, we have to run the ball,” Mann said. “Our kids took [it] personal, and got on their blocks. I thought we’d have to throw it more, but when our run game gets rolling, it makes a lot of things much more simpler.”
Hays continued to battle, something head coach Neal LaHue praised. However, “assignment football,” as described by Mann, kept Hays in check.
The Rebels were able to put up one more score. Jordan tossed a four-yard touchdown to Hayden Cagle, but it wasn’t enough.
Tears were shed, as Hays’ season came to an end. For many seniors, it also spelled the final game of their careers.
LaHue was proud of his team’s grit. While Hays was “outplayed and outcoached,” on Friday, he was nonetheless proud of their first season together.
“It was a great season. I’m proud of these guys,” LaHue said. “They busted their tail since last season was over. They did a lot since I showed up, and more. They have nothing to hold [down] their head about.”
