When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Shelton Stadium
Records: Hays 2-0; Rouse 2-0
Last week: Hays 35, Anderson 7; Rouse 28, Cedar Ridge 10
First meeting between the schools
Rouse offense: Spread Option
Rouse defense: 3-4
Hays offense: Multiple
Hays defense: 3-4
What they’re saying: “This will be our biggest test so far this season and it’s not even close. They are a very good football team with a lot of athletes and a talented quarterback who can run and throw the ball. We will have to play a full four quarters to have a chance to win,” Hays head coach Blake Feldt.
Players to Watch
Hays: QB Caleb Kimbro, WR Granger Studdard, OL William Trevillion, OL Reed Darragh, Slot receiver Taven Mayberry, WR Hayden Cagle, DE Kyle Cox, LB Devin Jennings, CB Christian Rodriguez, CB Jared Rodriguez, LB Colin Hubert.
Rouse: QB Justin Peldt, Slot RB/WR Logan Kinder, Slot RB/WR Billy McCrary, LB Michael Denmon, WR Wesley Lewis.
Intangibles: Rouse is in only its third varsity season but has surprised some folks coming out of the gate. The Raiders don’t resemble the team that only won two games last year and went 0-10 the year before. Rouse has already won that many this season with convincing victories over Hendrickson (50-23) and Cedar Ridge (28-10). Rouse quarterback Justin Peldt has passed for 171 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Logan Kinder has rushed for 162 yards and two scores, and Billy McCrary has 151 yards on the ground and three TDs. The Raiders will be a threat to run or pass the ball at any time out of its spread-option offense, so the Rebel defense will have to be at its best. On the injury front for Hays, the Rebels received bad news when starting safety Danny Valdez was lost for the year with a knee injury against Anderson. On a positive note, Hays slot receiver Taven Mayberry should see his first game action of the year Friday night, giving the Rebel offense a boost. The speedy Mayberry was injured during Hays’ spring game in May.
Hays Free Press prediction: Hays 35, Rouse 29
