When they needed a spark on offense Friday, the Hays Rebels literally went Green.
A career-high four rushing touchdown effort from running back Xavier Green helped Hays outlast the Austin Maroons in a high-scoring 69-36 shootout. The result marks the first time since the 1976-77 seasons Hays (6-0, 4-0) has started back-to-back campaigns with six or more straight victories.
Additionally, Hays also tallied the third most points scored in a single game in program history. The last time a Hays team scored 69 or more points in a game was in 2005.
Part of that success was an unrelenting rush offense that amassed 410 yards on the ground; roughly 130 of those yards were gained by Xavier Green alone.
Goad said Green wasn’t the featured running back early in the contest, but once momentum was built, there were “some big plays he pulled through with.”
“It was good. The offensive line did really good. They executed their blocks really good and we got that relationship in the end,” Green said. “It was almost unstoppable at that point.”
Hays (6-0, 4-0) sped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter aided by a two-yard touchdown by Xavier Green and a 23-yard touchdown run by Bobby Green.
After a two-yard touchdown run by Austin High running back Grayson Davis early in the second frame, Hays wide receiver Bryant Lewis returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a score.
Lewis’ return ignited a 21-point flurry, giving Hays a commanding 34-7 advantage. But the Maroons, led by Davis and quarterback Charles Wright, closed the first half with 14 quick points, whittling Hays’ lead to 34-21 at intermission. Austin HIgh’s offense finished with 521 total yards on the night.
Goad said Hays “gave them (Austin) a little too much” in the final few moments of the first half.
“We just challenged them to offensively continue to put the pressure on them. Let’s protect the ball, grind it out and put it in the end zone,” Goad said. “We could keep that cushion and give the defense a little time to make the plays they need.”
Both offenses kept up the pace in the third quarter by scoring 21 combined points in roughly the span of a minute. It began with a 28-yard touchdown run by Xavier Green that was made possibly via a fumble recovered by Hays’ Anthony Hellen. Austin then countered with a 58-yard touchdown run by Davis on the very next drive.
Xavier Green then added a 55-yard touchdown run roughly several seconds later to give Hays a 48-28 advantage. The Rebels closed the contest on a 21-7 run that included a 29-yard touchdown by Josh Rodriguez.
On the other side of the ball, Goad said the defense made enough adjustments to offset the abilities of Davis and Wright.
In addition, Hays’ defense also forced Austin into committing five total turnovers. Hellen cited improved communication as a reason for second half success on the defensive end.
“There was a lack of communication, especially in the second quarter, toward the end of it,” Hellen said. “But after halftime, we got an inspirational speech. Communication and brotherhood and we just trusted each other. It worked like a perfect puzzle piece.”
For Goad, the priority is now preparing for crosstown rival Lehman Friday. Getting healthy is also a key priority.
All of this comes as the Rebels are cruising toward a series of heavyweight battles against Westlake, Lake Travis and Del Valle at the end of the month.
“Every week we say the same thing, ‘the next game is the biggest game.’ So the next game (against Lehman) is the biggest game,” Goad said. “Lehman, it’s a big rival here and there’s high expectations for both schools. We look forward to that and get ready for the next one.”
