AUSTIN – A 21-point third quarter outburst carried the Hays Rebels past a sluggish start en route to a 45-7 win over the Akins Eagles Thursday at Burger Stadium.
Even with the early stumbles, Hays’ (5-0, 3-0) ground game churned out 515 rushing yards on the night, 212 of those yards gained by running back JoeAngel Carrasco. All told, Hays out-gained Akins 591-97 in total yards.
However, numerous penalties and miscues stymied the Rebel offense in the early going. Of the 101 yards worth of penalties Thursday, 55 of those were issued in the first half.
A strong defensive effort from Akins (1-5, 0-4) also kept Hays’ offense in check. Both teams were scoreless after a quarter of play.
But a key turnover on downs forced by Hays’ defense early in the second frame was a catalyst for a ten-point Rebel flurry before the halftime break.
Hays took a 3-0 lead on a 38-yard field goal by Thomas Skrovan, followed several minutes later by a 37-yard touchdown run by Carrasco. Hays led 10-0 at intermission.
Momentum carried over into the second half as Hays scored 21 more unanswered points over a seven minute span in the third frame, highlighted by a 70-yard touchdown run by Green, who finished with 186 yards rushing on 16 carries. Hays led 31-0 before Akins countered with its lone touchdown via a seven yard strike from quarterback Quincy Welch to wide receiver Greg Borgeson.
Rebel quarterback Durand Hill added an 11 yard touchdown run to expand Hays’ lead to 38-7 early in the fourth frame. Hays running back Zach Harris supplied the final score on an eight yard touchdown run late in the final quarter.
Hill went 7 of 12 for 88 yards, two touchdowns and an interception passing while also rushing for 23 yards and a score. Akins’ Welch amassed 71 total yards in the game.
