The Chargers entered the series as District 26 champions with a 13-3 district record and a 29-5-1 overall mark. The Hawks, who finished second in District 25 with an 11-3 record, came in poised for a strong postseason run.

In game one, the Chargers secured a 6-2 victory. Following inclement weather Friday, game two was moved to Saturday afternoon at Hays High School. The Hawks responded with resilience, earning an 8-6 win to force a decisive game three.

In the final game of the series, Champion struck first, scoring two runs in the third inning. Both teams settled into a defensive battle, highlighted by strong pitching performances and clean fielding. The Hawks answered with a run in the fifth inning, keeping the game within reach heading into the final frame.

Trailing late, the Hawks mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. With a runner on first, head coach Frank Anzures called for a sacrifice bunt from catcher Ryder Pearson, who executed perfectly, advancing the runner into scoring position, despite being thrown out at first.

With the home crowd on its feet, the Hawks brought the tying run to second base, but the Chargers’ pitcher held firm, recording a strikeout to end the game and the series. The final score was Boerne Champion 2, Hays Hawks 1.

Despite the loss, the Hawks capped off a strong season, finishing 22-12-1 overall and improving from last year’s 18-10-1 record and fourth-place district finish.

Following the game, Anzures addressed his team, expressing both pride and appreciation: “I love you guys and I’m proud of you. What makes moments like this tough is that we built something special this season — something worth fighting for.”

Looking ahead, Anzures emphasized the program’s future, noting that the Hawks will continue building on this year’s success.

Both teams struck early, scoring one run apiece in the opening inning. Bowie added another run in the third to take a 2–1 lead, but strong pitching and solid defensive play from both squads kept the game close throughout regulation.

The Hawks answered in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning, pushing across the tying run to force extra innings and keep their hopes alive.

In the top of the eighth, the Bulldogs regained the lead with a go-ahead run to make it 3-2. Hays mounted a late rally in the bottom half of the inning with runners on first and second and an opportunity to even the score again. However, the Bulldogs pitcher made a standout defensive play, snagging a line drive and quickly firing to second base to complete a game-ending double play.

Despite the loss, the Hawks remain in strong position with a 9-3 district record and currently sit in second place in one of the most competitive districts in Central Texas.

Following the game, Hawks head coach Frank Anzures said his team continues to play competitive baseball as the postseason approaches.

“We’re playing solid baseball right now,” Anzures said. “We haven’t lost a game by more than three runs and this is one of the toughest districts in Central Texas. There were a few minor issues, but those are fixable. We treat every game the same, and we’ll be ready for Lehman and ready for the playoffs.”

The Hawks will close out the regular season Friday, April 24, on the road against Lehman High School, before turning their attention to postseason play.

The program began after a local flag football league connected Hays CISD to the Dallas Cowboys, who have been donating items to school districts across Texas to grow the sport.

“They provided everything financially: they pay for the officials that come officiate the game; they gave uniforms; they gave us packages with game balls, pylons — the things you set up in the end zone — cones to use, flags to use; they gave everything to us,” said Hays CISD assistant athletic director Dusty Gibbs.

So, after receiving the donation from the National Football League team, the district communication team sent out interest surveys to all girls at Hays, Johnson and Lehman high schools to gauge whether there was any intrigue.

Flag football, according to Gibbs, is a wide-open, fast-paced version of football, where instead of tackling an opponent, their flag is pulled instead to make the ball “dead at that spot.”

He noted that the sport has gained traction over the years, with nearby districts, such as Austin ISD, adding the sport and it recently being recognized in the Olympics, which made district leadership discuss the opportunity for students. Flag football has also been discussed at the University Interscholastic League to determine whether to sanction it as a sport for schools.

“There was a lot of interest in this [from students] and what was real appealing to this is we always look at the data before we do these things and the Dallas Cowboys actually provided [information] that about 50% to 60% of the girls that participate in flag football don’t play other sports. So, that was important to us. It’s another way to get more kids involved [in an activity],” Gibbs said.

Then, coaches from each high school eagerly volunteered to work with the girls and facilitated the tryouts that led to the now three established teams. Although there is currently one team of seven students, Gibbs stated that there are additional students to fill in gaps when other commitments come up, as some students are in other sports, as well.

The first tournament was hosted March 28, said Gibbs, but each team has played four games, with the records as follows:

• Hays High School: 3-1

• Lehman High School: 4-0

• Johnson High School: 2-1-1

“You don’t really know what to expect when it’s something new and when we hosted at the end of March, I was there for the whole tournament that morning and … [the games] may have been one of the most awesome experiences I’ve ever had in coaching and I’ve been doing this for 20 years,” explained Gibbs. “I went and talked to some of the girls that were playing and a couple of the girls were like, ‘This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done.’ The gameplay was wonderful; we have tremendous athletes out here.”

Not only has the program brought the ability to encourage students who were previously uninvolved in sports to join a new activity, but it allows athletes to continue training throughout the offseason. Gibbs stated that when students are involved in sports, their grades, attendance, mental health, social lives and more improve.

As the season continues, the director shared that Hays CISD is hoping to continue its partnership with the Dallas Cowboys and grow the program, as long as the interest is there, including a potential junior varsity team.

He did state that, currently, the district isn’t looking into a male league because many of the traditional football students participate in a sport called 7-on-7. Although it isn’t an official district sport, nearly every player participates outside of school in the off season, so there isn’t a need currently.

Hays CISD will host a second flag football tournament from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 25, at Bob Shelton Stadium. The event is ticketed at $5 per adult and $3 per child.

“It is an awesome experience and those girls do a great job. The sportsmanship is great [and] the competitive play is great. You’ll see some very good athletes on the 25th for those people who want to come out,” concluded Gibbs.

The Hawks went on to lose 3-1 on the road, bringing the team’s district record to 3-3 going into its press time game against the Lockhart Lions Tuesday, March 31. Hays will finish the series at home at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2.

Athletes from across the region gathered in Buda to showcase their talents on the track and in the field events, making for an action-packed meet at the Hays campus.

The Hawks junior varsity team will return to competition March 26 at Johnson High School in Buda, while varsity will attend the Charles Austin Classic at Texas State University March 27.

The Grizzlies took an early advantage and led 1–0 at halftime. The Hawks, however, came out energized in the second half and mounted a determined comeback. Their persistence paid off, as they found the net twice to secure a 2–1 victory over Glenn.

The Hawks were back in action Friday, March 6, and traveled to face the Liberty Hill High School Panthers, who entered the contest with a 7-4-2 record. The match proved to be another tight defensive battle, but this time the Hawks came up just short, falling 1–0 to the Panthers.

The Hawks concluded their regular season on Tuesday, March 10, when they hosted the Lehman High School Lobos. This also served as senior night and all seniors were honored by family members and friends before the game. The score and final playoff standings were not available at press time.

On Friday, March 6, the team continued its win streak when the Hawks defeated the Leander High School Lions 6-2. The Hawks are 2-0 in district and will travel to face the Rouse High School Raiders at press time Tuesday, March 10. Their next home game will be against the Lockhart High School Lions at 7 p.m. March 13.

Lockhart struck first, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime. The Hawks came out strong in the second half, creating opportunities and applying steady pressure, but both defenses held firm. Despite a determined effort, Hays was unable to find the equalizer.

The Lions secured the 1-0 victory.

The Hawks currently sit in fifth place with a district record of 4-6-1. Their final game of the season was played Tuesday, March 3, against the Glenn High School Grizzlies, but the result was unavailable as of press time.

The Raiders entered the contest in first place in University Interscholastic League (UIL) 5A Region IV District 25 with a 9-0-2 district record, but the Hawks rose to the challenge.

Hays' offensive performance resulted in scoring two goals against the district leaders, while also matching Rouse’s intensity throughout the night. The teams traded momentum in a fast-paced, physical contest and strong defensive efforts on both sides kept the game level.

When the final whistle blew, the Hawks had earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the top-ranked Raiders.

On Friday, the team traveled to Lockhart High School’s Lion Field, where it earned its fourth district win of the season.

With the regular season winding down, Hays continues to play strong soccer at the right time. The Hawks currently sit in fifth place with a district record of 4-5-2 and are pushing for a top-four finish to secure a bi-district playoff berth.

The Hawks faced the Glenn High School Grizzlies at press time Tuesday, March 3.

Hays will close out the regular season at home Tuesday, March 10, against the Lehman High School Lobos. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at Bob Shelton Stadium.

The Hawks’ relay team is the first Hays High School female swim relay team to qualify for State in the program’s history. After the preliminary round, the team advanced to the 200-yard medley relay finals and, ultimately, placed ninth overall in the state.

Hays ended the season in fourth place in the district, with a final record of 21-14 overall and 8-6 district.

In addition to the win, which sent the Hawks to playoffs, senior Endia Stigall (No. 5) scored her 2,000th career point. She has more than 450 career steals, 430 career assists and 350 career boards. Hays ended the regular season with an overall record of 21-13 and a district record of 8-6. The team will face San Antonio’s Wagner High School for the Bi-District round of playoffs at press time Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Recently, Hays and Lehman high school students competed in the We Are Blood High School Heroes blood drive competition. Hays registered 66 donors and received 49 units of blood. Lehman won the competition by registering 111 donors and bringing in 76 units of blood. During the Feb. 10 game, Lehman principal James Cruz accepts the trophy and a check for the school.

The lone goal of the match came early in the first half when Hawk Alegria Cole (No. 22) found the back of the net to give Hays a 1-0 advantage. From that point on, the Hawks’ defense stood tall, shutting down multiple Lobo scoring opportunities and preserving the narrow lead.

Hays’ back line and goalkeeper combined for a strong defensive performance, keeping Lehman off the scoreboard and securing the hard-fought 1-0 victory.

The Hawks’ next home game will be Friday, Feb. 20, against Leander High School.

The Lobos will host Cedar Park High School at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20.

The Hawks are currently 3-1-1 and their next home game will be at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, against the Lehman High School Lobos.

After a one-day weather delay, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, the Hawks hosted the Leander High School Lions. In the second half, the Hawks came out strong and scored three goals. The final score was Hawks 3, Lions 0. 

After the game, Hawks head soccer coach Spencer Roach said it was a hard-fought win and a tough first half. He said that the team showed resilience, was locked in and played tough in the second half to get the shut out. The coach went on to say that they had some great wins early in the season to prepare them for district play. 

However, on Friday, Jan. 30, the Hawks traveled to Rouse High School to take on the Raiders. The Raiders are currently in first place with a district record of 3-0. The Hawks were shut out and the final score was Raiders 4, Hawks 0. 

At press time Tuesday, Feb. 3, Hays hosted the Lockhart High School Lions and lost 1-0.

The Hawks’ next home game will be at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 10 against the Liberty Hill High School Panthers, who currently have a district record of 1-1-1.

The Hawks trap a Timberwolves player, as she tries to make a pass. Hays went on to beat Leander High School 47-37 Friday, Jan. 23, bringing the team’s record to 18-11 overall, 5-4 district. Currently, the Hawks are fourth in the district. Hays will host Rouse High School (19-11 overall, 4-5 district) at press time Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Lehman will visit Lockhart High School at press time Jan. 20 to take on the Lions, before hosting Cedar Park High School at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23.

The Hawks will travel to Cedar Park High School at press time Jan. 20. The team’s next home game will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, against Leander High School.

The Hawks will host Liberty Hill at press time Jan. 13, and will travel to Lehman High School to take on the Lobos at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. 

The Hawks went on to win 60-52 over the Cedar Park High School Timberwolves Friday, Dec. 12, in the district opener. Hays’ next home game will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 6, 2026, when they host Lockhart High School.

District play will begin Friday, Dec. 12, when the Hays Hawks will travel to Cedar Park High School for a 7 p.m. tip off against the Timberwolves.

The team’s next home game will tip-off at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, against Cedar Creek High School. District play begins Dec. 19.

The Hawks went on to sweep San Marcos High School Friday, Sept. 5. They will travel to Lehman High School to take on the Lobos at press time Tuesday, Sept. 9, before returning home to host Lockhart High School at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.