A 28-point deficit proved too much for the Hays Rebels to overcome as they succumbed to the San Antonio Reagan Rattlers 31-21 Friday at Comlander Stadium.
Hays (1-3) trailed Reagan 28-0 early in the third quarter before mounting a furious rally. The Rebels outscored Reagan 21-3 in the final 21 minutes of play, but was unable to draw even.
Reagan leapt out to a commanding 14-0 first quarter lead by scoring two touchdowns within ten seconds.
A touchdown pass from Rattler quarterback Travis Sthele to wide receiver Drew Ureste was followed by a fumble recovery for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff.
Sthele tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cameron Lee to give Reagan a 21-0 advantage; a short touchdown run by Sthele early in the third quarter expanded the lead to 28-0.
Sthele went 17 of 28 for 224 yards and two touchdowns passing. He also led the Rattlers with 46 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground.
Hays’ comeback attempt began in the third quarter with a 27-yard touchdown run by senior wide receiver Gentry Brawith.
After a Reagan field goal midway through the final frame, Hays countered with a one yard touchdown run by Martin Shoemaker.
But the Rebels couldn’t generate enough offense late to get back into contention. Senior quarterback Tyler Conley threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sam Scott with less than a minute in the game.
Rebel quarterback Xavier Martinez went 12 of 22 for 141 yards passing and had one interception. Conley went 5 of 8 for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Hays junior running back Thailand Mayberry carried the ball 13 times for 64 yards, while Shoemaker rushed for 31 yards and a score. Brawith finished with 27 rushing yards and the touchdown.
NEXT UP
The Rebels open district play Friday when they travel to play the defending state champion Lake Travis Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m.
