Indians edge Panthers 28-27 in classic showdown

HAYS — Few showdowns have ever matched the instant classic that saw Hays High escape with a 28-27 Western Athletic Conference football victory over Great Bend.

The Indians blocked a last-second 39-yard field goal attempt by Omar Razo after the Panthers drove 29 yards on four completions by quarterback Daxton Minton. To illustrate the fight in the Panthers, Hayden Kelly prevented an Indian touchdown by tackling Mason Rodriguez, who was headed for a touchdown on the blocked field goal.

Hays High all-state tailback Malik Bah delivered the game's biggest play with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Cano after rolling to the left on fourth down. Hays kicker Carter Graham converted the game-winning extra point with 34 seconds left in regulation.

Minton completed two passes to Maddox Spray and two to Ian Premer to set up a potential game-winning field goal on the game's final snap.

Minton threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Backup quarterback Cooper Ohnmacht delivered a clutch 15-yard throwback touchdown pass to Colton Brack after Minton departed with leg cramps. Cody Miller rushed for 54 yards and Minton gained 47 yards as the Panthers gained 392 offensive yards.

Great Bend football coach Erin Beck was proud of his team's fight.

"We hurt for these kids and they're disappointed," Beck said. "I told them they were no losers tonight. They battled their tails off. A play here or there and this thing a different ballgame. Both football teams got a lot better tonight."

Beck said it came down to a few penalty flags and a few missed assignments.

"We committed too many penalties and had too many mistakes," Beck said. "We got behind the first-down sticks. We had stuff that was uncharacteristic. We've got to learn from it and move forward."

Tailback Bah scored on a 72-yard run, rushed for 227 yards on 36 carries and delivered big play after big play when the Indians needed it. Hays gained 255 rushing yards and 109 yards passing.

"Credit to Hays and Bah. He played his tail off," Beck said.

Hays (2-0, 1-0 WAC) and Great Bend (1-1, 0-1 WAC) started a wild first quarter with four touchdowns. Spray caught a 52-yard touchdown pass and Minton scored on a 9-yard dash after Premer's interception.

The Indians countered with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Graham to Jack Purdy and Bah's 72-yard touchdown.

Great Bend drove to the Hays 5-yard line when a pass intended for Spray was ruled incomplete in the endzone. Brack caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Ohnmacht. Hays answered again on Quinton McGuire's 3-yard touchdown.

Premer caught a 18-yard score from Minton for a 27-21 lead, but Diego Soto's extra point missed. Hays converted twice on fourth down, once on Bah's 5-yard run on 4th and-4 and again on Bah's touchdown pass.

Great Bend 14 0 7 6 — 27

Hays High 14 0 0 14 — 28

H—Jack Purdy 37 pass from Carter Graham (Graham kick)

GB—Maddox Spray 52 from Daxton Minton (Diego Soto kick)

GB—Minton 9 run (Soto kick)

H—Malik Bah 72 run (Graham kick)

GB—Colton Brack 15 pass from Cooper Ohnmaht (Soto kick)

H—Ian McGuire 3 run (Graham kick)

GB—Ian Premer 18 pass from Minton (kick fails)

H—Johnny Cano 15 pass from Bah (Graham kick)

RUSHING—GB—31-101; Miller 19-54, Minton 12-47; H—43-255; Bah 36-227; Graham 4-23; McGuire 1-3; Purdy 2-2.

PASSING—GB—Minton 24-33-1, 276; Cooper Ohnmacht 1-2-0, 15; H—Graham 5-16-2, 94; Bah 1-1-0, 15.