Rebel charge too swift for Lions

By Alonzo Garza
POST-REGISTER

The Hays Rebels charged onto the Gen. Gary Bunch Field at Lion Stadium on Friday, Oct. 16 with a one-word mission in mind: domination. Holding the Lions scoreless until the fourth quarter, the Rebels charged up and down the field, maintaining control and eventually conquering the Lions 34-14.

“You have to give credit to Hay

s,” Lion Head Football Coach Robin Rapp said on Monday afternoon. “They played very well Friday. We just never got into a rhythm on offense for most of the game. Consequently, our defense was forced to be on the field a majority of the time, which was an advantage for them.”
The first eight minutes of play were a back-and-forth battle, with both defensive squads locking down on their opponents and forcing punts.

The Rebels broke that routine with 3:54 remaining in the quarter when Rebel junior Torrence Smith completed a one-yard run for a touchdown, followed by a good field goal kick by Ty Andrews, giving the Rebels a 7-0 lead.

The Lions had a first-and-ten at the 35-yard line after a Jacob Alvarez return. A pass from Lion quarterback Tyler Tolley to Brian Martinez was good for a second-and-six, but a fumble by an injured Dominique Hardaway, which he immediately recovered, set the Lions back to a third-and-14.

At 2:16, the Lions fumbled again. This time, the Rebels recovered for a first-and-ten at the 18-yard line.

Fortunately for the Lions, Hays fumbled and the ball was recovered by Brandon Pleasant for a Lockhart first-and-ten at the 20-yard line with 1:37 to go.

For the second consecutive week, Hardaway left the field limping in the first quarter, but not before he gained a first-and-ten for the Lions with less than a minute to play in the first. The quarter ended at 7-0.

The second quarter began with a pair of delay of game penalties and plenty of incomplete passes for the Lions.

Hays kept the pressure on the Lions until they gained decent field position and scored their second touchdown on 12-yard run by Smith. The extra point kick failed for a 13-0 score with 3:52 remaining in the first half.

The Rebels scored again at 2:42 with a 54-yard pass from Sam Breyfogle to Trace Gandy. Andrews’ kick was good, closing the scoring at 20-0 before the halftime show.

The third quarter began with Hays receiving and holding on to the ball for most of the quarter. The Rebels scored their fourth touchdown at 3:42 with a one-yard run from Breyfogle. Andrews’ kick was good for a score of 27-0.

The Lions took the ball at the 28-yard line after a return by Joseph Bell. The ball was fumbled and then recovered by Tolley for a second-and-20 at the 15-yard line at 1:54.

The Lions punted to the Rebels at 1:39 and the quarter ended at 27-0.
The fourth quarter was fruitful for the Lions, who scored two touchdowns, but not before Hays scored their fifth and final touchdown of the night at 10:35

The Rebels scored with a four-yard run by Smith and a kick by Andrews for a brief score of 34-0.

The Lions fought back with a 46-yard pass from Tolley to Till for the first Lockhart touchdown of the night. Brooks Pittman’s extra point kick was good for a score of 34-7 at 7:46.

Hays took a first-and-ten at the 20-yard line at 7:39 and then recovered their own fumble on a third-and-eight before punting to the Lions.

Joseph Bell took over more rushing duties for the Lions in the fourth and gained 37 yards and a touchdown by 2:40. Pittman’s kick was good for a final score of 34-14.

An onside kick by the Lions did not have its intended results and the Rebels ran out the clock.

“We’re disappointed at the results as a team,” Rapp said. “We also know we still have a lot of football to play and we intend to make the most of the opportunity.”

Tolley passed for a total of 110 yards and one touchdown with 10 completions in 22 attempts. Bell rushed for 37 yard and one touchdown with four rush attempts. Brian Martinez picked up 46 yards with seven receptions while Till picked up 46 yards and a touchdown with one reception late in the fourth.

The Lions will travel to Elgin to face the Wildcats in the First Annual BBQ Bowl on Friday, Oct. 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., but the tailgating begins at 6 p.m. with plenty of barbecue to sample out at the parking lot before kickoff.

See you at the game.
agarza@post-register.com