Staff Report
BUDA – It was fitting Friday the newly rebranded Hays Hawks hit the ground running on their maiden flight.
An aggressive Hays ground and pound attack to the tune of 433 total rushing yards overwhelmed the Churchill Chargers as the Hawks exacted a 42-17 season opening beatdown at Bob Shelton Stadium. Friday was the first Hays varsity football contest played under the Hawks mascot after the Rebel moniker was retired last year.
Carrying the load were running backs Zach Obara, Chris Bruce and Kyree Payton, who combined for 338 rushing yards and all six touchdowns scored in the game. Obara dealt the most damage with 159 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns; Payton finished with 65 yards and three touchdowns.
“Feels great (to win). Came out, started kind of slow, but we went into the locker room, we built each other up and we just finished the game,” Payton said in an interview posted on the Hays CISD Twitter page.
Hays sprinted out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter, thanks to a 64-yard touchdown run by Bruce, who ran for 114 yards on the night. After Churchill responded with a touchdown in the second quarter, the Hawks countered with 14 more unanswered points, holding a 28-10 lead at the half.
Helping Hays was maintaining possession in key third down situations. Hays was 5 for 5 on third down conversions in the contest and did not punt. However, Hays committed four turnovers and fumbled the ball three times.
“These young guys, they need that confidence. Football is a game of momentum. Winning that first game, getting some success behind them early is important,” Goad said in an interview posted on the Hays CISD Twitter page. “Especially for young guys. We have a lot of sophomores playing. We have a lot of guys who have never played on Friday nights.”
Another 14 point barrage in the third quarter further expanded Hays’ lead to 42-10. The Hawk defense swooped down on the Chargers and limited Churchill’s offense to 205 total yards.
Charger quarterback Merric Manwaring went 8 of 17 for 106 yards. Hawk quarterback Tyler McInvale went 2 for 4 for 67 yards passing.
Hays continues non-district play next Friday when they travel to play at Dripping Springs on Sept. 3. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
