Hays (9-2) vs. Leander Rouse (8-3)
When: Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex – “The Palace” (10211 West Parmer Lane, Austin, TX)
Last week: Hays def. San Antonio Brackenridge 45-20; Rouse def. Austin LBJ 44-14
Last meeting (Sept. 13, 2013): Rouse def. Hays 29-20
Hays offense: Multiple
Hays defense: 3-4
Rouse offense: Spread
Rouse defense: 3-4
Players to watch:
Hays: QB Jeff Jordan, QB/WR Hayden Cagle, RB Dylan Kasper, FB Adam Castro, RB Cody Gandy, WR Luke Park, FB Holton Dickerson, WR Ty Goebler, TE Banner Steele, DL Cole Carney, DL Justin Diaz, LB Trey Solis, DB Emory Cuzze, DB Jared Self, DB Mason Salinas
Rouse: QB Billy Ray McCrary, RB Andre Alger, RB Anthony Badour, RB Kevin Cole, RB/LB Donovan Carrasco, WR/QB Wesley Geisier, LB Ryan Heinrich, DT Trevor Hendricks, LB Anthony Martin, DT Jordan Washington, DB Patrick Yielding
Intangibles: Ten weeks ago, the Rebels were given a season-building lesson at the hands of the Rouse Raiders. Five Rebel turnovers helped Rouse win by nine. Head coach Neal LaHue felt the team learned from it, understanding they could compete with the 2012 4A state semifinalist. But he acknowledged both teams have drastically changed since their first meeting. It leads to what may be an epic area round playoff game on Friday night. Hays is on a six game win streak, with a “relentless” run defense that limited Brack QB Ramon Richards to only eight yards rushing. They go up against a Rouse offense that is predicated on the run. QB McCrary has rushed for more than 900 yards, with Alger and Badour gaining more than 1,000 combined. In their first meeting, Hays was able to limit Rouse’s three biggest run threats to only 86 yards. It was the pass game that hurt them, as McCrary threw for 276 yards. Focusing on both aspects of the Rouse offense will be necessary, according to LaHue. Ultimately, Hays will need to bolster their pass defense, which allowed a combined 600 yards over the past two weeks. On offense, the Rebel run game is on a roll, gaining 516 yards in the last two weeks. Against Brack, the Rebels were able to adequately use the pass game to balance things out. LaHue complimented QB Jordan’s ability to disperse the ball to different targets. Hays will need to continue that trend, in order to allow RB Gandy and RB Kasper to keep moving. Two outstanding teams will take the field at The Palace on Friday. If the first game was any indication, fans should expect an intense, drama-filled fight to see whose season will continue.
