Members of the Hays Rebels and Lehman Lobos dive after a loose football during the Rebs’ 27-14 comeback win last season at Shelton Stadium. Hays opens the regular season August 26 at home against Akins before beginning District 27-4A play versus rival Lehman September 23. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Barton)
by JASON GORDON
It’s only June but new Hays High head coach Blake Feldt is already looking forward to the first day of summer practices August 1 and the season to follow.
The Rebels will scrimmage against two Class 5A schools at home against Del Valle (August 13) and on the road against Temple (August 19).
“Del Valle is first so that’s always one the guys look forward to,” Feldt said. “They get to go against someone else, and we know it will be a test because Del Valle always has great athletes. Temple has a storied football tradition and we will find out a lot versus a good team.”
Feldt said he thinks every game on Hays’ non-district schedule will be challenging.
“Since what we are doing is new, we will get to see how much progress we’ve made,” Feldt said.
Hays opens the regular season August 26 at home against Akins before traveling to House Park to take on Anderson for a Thursday night game on September 1.
The Rebels then continue what has been a strong intra-county rivalry over the years as they play San Marcos High at Bobcat Stadium on September 9.
“It will be interesting because all of our first three opponents will all have new head coaches,” Feldt said. “You never know what to expect with new leadership so it should be interesting.”
Feldt said he’s looking forward to getting his first taste of the Hays-San Marcos rivalry, which was renewed last season with a Rebel win. It was the first time the teams had met since 2003.
Feldt has fond memories of Bobcat Stadium, as he led Pilot Point to the Class 2A Division I state title there in 2009.
“It will be great to go back to Bobcat Stadium with a new team,” Feldt said. “San Marcos is a natural rival and it will be a big game for us.”
The Rebs host Hutto on September 16 for their homecoming game. It will be Hays High’s final home game before it begins district play.
“Hutto will have a very good football team,” Feldt said. “They have good athletes, they are well coached and they have size on both sides of the ball. It will be a big test heading into district. We look forward to that challenge.”
Hays opens the district season as the road team at Shelton Stadium against Lehman High on September 23.
Last season, the Rebs finished second in District 27-4A before losing to Kerrville Tivy and All-State quarterback Johnny Manziel in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
Feldt said he’s had experience being the visiting team in your home stadium, as Hays will experience for the third time in history against the Lobos.
“It’s always a little bit strange being on the other sideline, but I experienced that as a player and coach at Midland High when we would play Lee,” Feldt said. “Rivalry games like that are very special. Obviously it’s a huge game to start the season between two schools that are just across the highway from each other.”
Hays will then host Alamo Heights on September 30, play at Clemens on October 7, host Lockhart on October 14, have its open date October 21, play at Canyon October 28 and round out the district season hosting 2010’s league champion Smithson Valley.
“You have to come ready to play each and every game in district,” Feldt said. “Being in a tough district like ours will give you lots of grey hairs. If you aren’t ready on any given night you will get beat.”
Feldt said he thinks Hays will make a repeat trip to the playoffs.
“Whether it’s my first year here or my 20th, I’ll always be disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs,” he said. “Our goal is to win the district championship every year and to compete for state championships once we get into the playoffs.”
