1. Tradition – While Lehman has found a way to break through the ice and beat Hays High in many different sports recently, football is not one of them. In fact, the Rebels have beaten the Lobos by an average of more than three touchdowns in their five previous matchups.
Last season was by far the closest Lehman has ever come to beating the Rebs, as the Lobos held a 14-7 halftime lead. The bliss the Lobo fans felt as the bands, dance teams and color guards entertained them at intermission quickly turned into despair as Hays rallied to sweep past Lehman with a 21-0 run in the second half for a 28-14 Rebel win. Until Lehman proves it can beat Hays on the football field, the Rebels will continue to be the favorite in this matchup year after year.
2. Strength of schedule – Granted, Hays has played a couple of cupcakes who haven’t won a game since 2009 in Akins and San Marcos, but even both of them are Class 5A schools. The Rebels have also played games against a state-ranked and undefeated Hutto team and an Anderson team that went 10-2 last season before getting knocked out in the third round of the playoffs.
It’s matchups like those that get you ready for the rigors of District 27-4A, one of the toughest Class 4A districts in the state. Although there’s no question Lehman has improved, as 2011 non-district record indicates, but the Lobos have beaten up on the likes of a Crockett team that started the season 0-3, while being outscored 96-6, a San Antonio Edison team that started 0-2, while being outscored 81-8, and private school Austin-St. Michael’s. This may be a year the Lobos regret not having more challenging non-district competition.
3. The Caleb Kimbro factor – The talented and speedy Hays junior quarterback will be the best football player on the field when the two teams square off. Until last season, Kimbro had never lost a football game, as he led his seventh grade, eighth grade and freshman football teams to undefeated seasons. Kimbro was a part-time starter last year and is flourishing in the role as full-time starter this season.
Through three games, Kimbro passed for 490 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 330 yards and scored four more times. Kimbro seemed destined to play the position as his two older brothers Kyle and Ryan both started at quarterback for Hays and his older sister Lindie was an All-State basketball player for the Lady Rebs. Winning is embedded in Caleb’s DNA. If the game is close in the fourth quarter, look for the youngest Kimbro sibling to make a big play to secure a Hays victory.
