By Taylor Tompkins
The Hays High Rebels brought down the Schertz Clemens Buffaloes with a whopping 38-28 defeat, handing the Buffs their first lost of the season.
Hays defensive back Jean Galvan attempts to tackle Schertz Clemens wide receiver Chase Foreman in Friday night’s game at Shelton Stadium. Hays pulled off the upset, handing the Buffaloes their first loss of the year in a 38-28 win. (Photo by Lincoln Ramirez) |
The Rebels’ ground game beat the Buffaloes’ game in the air, with Hays garnering a team total of 51 carries for 290 yards. Clemens averaged less than one yard per carry over 16 carries on the night. The Buffaloes’ quarterback J.J Elkins threw for 429 yards over 27 passes, but the team had five penalties for 40 yards.
Hays sophomore running back Cody Gandy led the team in rushing with 26 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown.
“This is a humongous win for us,” Gandy said. “We were expected to lose, they were coming in 6-0. We just came out in the first half and put it to them, and just held them in the second half.”
Hays’ senior running back Dylan Kasper and junior fullback Holton Dickerson each had six carries on the night for 52 yards and 107 yards, respectively.
Hays scored 28 points in the first half, 14 of those unanswered. Prior to the game against the Rebels, the Buffaloes had only given up a maximum 14 points to any team. Hays senior quarterback Jeff Jordan had one rushing touchdown and two touchdown passes in the half.
“This means everything in the world to us,” Jordan said. “They did really good. I mean we just kept fighting and fighting. We started out great and finished it with a good win.”
Jordan threw for 166 yards on 10/15 passing and rushed for 18 yards on 10 carries.
Hays senior tight end Banner Steele had four catches for 61 yards, leading the team in receptions and earning two touchdowns. Teammate senior wide receiver Hayden Cagle caught 74 yards on 3 receptions.
Jordan said when throwing under pressure like against the Buffaloes’ defense, he focuses on what the outcome of the game could be to maintain his composure.
“From the look of it, the outcome (of the game) came great,” Jordan said. “I just focus up and relax, take a deep breath and just continue from there.”
The win moved Hays’ record to 5-2 on the season, 3-1 in district. Schertz Clemens falls to 6-1, 3-1 in 27-4A play. The Rebels are tied with Boerne Champion, Kerrville Tivy and hold a tiebreaker over Clemens for the top spot in the district.
The Rebels will take on Seguin in an important road test at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Rebels are 3-1 away and the Matadors are 1-2 at home. Seguin is 0-4 in district play and 3-4 overall.
Gandy said the Rebels need to work on the execution of plays and fundamentals of the game for next week.
“We’ve got to work on executing more, keeping the tempo up and just keep fighting,” Jordan said. “If we can do that I am for sure we can have a spot in the playoffs.”
