HHS downs Great Bend, takes WAC
Published on -10/18/2009, 8:04 PM
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By RANDY GONZALES
There was nothing fancy about the Indians' win Friday night.
It was just old-fashioned, hard-nosed football. Three yards and a cloud of artificial turf.
The Hays High School football team ended an eight-game losing streak against Western Athletic Conference rival Great Bend, beating the Panthers 20-14 in front of an estimated crowd of almost 5,000 fans at Lewis Field Stadium.
With the win in the Class 5A, District 6 opener, the magical season continues for the Indians, who improved to 7-0 and clinched the WAC crown outright.
"Feels awesome," said Hays High junior fullback Josh Balman. "Probably one of the best things in my life, so far."
While pleased with the rivalry win and WAC title, first-year HHS coach Ryan Cornelsen knows there's still work to do.
"Right now, we've got to keep going," he said. "It feels good; when the season is over, we'll look back and enjoy it."
Hays High next travels to Hutchinson, which has won five straight state titles. The Salthawks (7-0) handed McPherson (6-1) its first loss of the season in Friday's other district game, 55-20.
Next week will be another big test for a Hays High team that has been turning heads this season, winning week after week.
Before this year, HHS' last winning season was in 2005.
"As a coach and a program, we try not to focus on what people think about us," Cornelsen said. "We only focus on what we can control."
What the Indians did Friday night was control the line of scrimmage. Defensively, the Indians put pressure on Great Bend junior quarterback Greg Hildebrand in the Panthers' spread offense, sacking him four times and giving him little time to throw.
Offensively, the line gave the Indian backs a hole, and they ran hard, gaining extra yards after contact. The Indians threw just four times, including a fourth down halfback pass from sophomore Brad Desbien to senior quarterback Bryant Bombardier which gained 11 yards and kept a drive alive.
Other than that one bit of trickery, the Indians just ran right at the Panthers. Of Hays High's 62 plays from scrimmage, 58 were runs, and most of them were up the middle or off tackle.
"Against Great Bend, our big rivals, coaches said run hard, don't get tackled," said Balman, who rushed for 75 yards on 16 carries.
Junior running back Casey Sedbrook led Hays High with 80 yards rushing on 20 carries and scored all three Indian touchdowns, two on runs and one on an interception return while playing linebacker.
"One thing we wanted to do was keep pounding it," Sedbrook said.
Cornelsen said he had to change the game plan after the Indians started experiencing success running up the middle.
"I didn't think we could run it up the gut," Cornelsen said. "That was an adjustment we made."
Great Bend (4-3 overall, 0-1 district) threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles. All three HHS touchdowns came off turnovers.
"It was obviously huge," Cornelsen said.
Great Bend tried a trick play the first time it had the ball. Panther senior receiver Allan Holt, who was running a reverse, stopped to throw. His pass was intercepted by HHS senior defensive back Tyler Lacy.
Hays High couldn't move the ball, and sophomore Austin Unrein punted to Holt, who returned it 57 yards for an apparent touchdown, but Great Bend was called for a block in the back.
Hildebrand then fumbled the ball on a pitchout to give Hays High the ball at the Great Bend 33. The Indians scored six plays later, on Sedbrook's tackle-breaking run around left end from 11 yards out. Unrein's extra point gave HHS a 7-0 lead with 5:06 left in the first quarter.
Great Bend answered with a seven-play, 58-yard drive to score on its next possession, capped by senior Jordan Basye's TD from a yard out to make it 7-7 with 2:00 left in the first quarter.
Hays High started a long drive on the ensuing possession, but Bombardier had a pass over the middle intercepted near the goal line. But on the second play after the pick, Hildebrand was intercepted by Sedbrook, who jumped a route by a Great Bend receiver. He stepped in front of the Panther wideout near the Great Bend sideline and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown. Unrein's kick made it 14-7 with 1:49 left in the first half.
"We've been working all week on getting linebackers to drop," into coverage, Sedbrook said.
"We show a lot of blitzing with our outside linebackers," Cornelsen said. "We just dropped him into coverage.
"I told him all week if he played wide, he'd get one," Cornelsen added.
"That was real big," Balman said. "It gave us a lot of confidence."
Great Bend got the ball to start the second half and abandoned its spread offense, instead using its goal-line package to move the ball down the field.
The Panthers used 13 plays -- 11 runs -- to cover 65 yards to the HHS 10. From there, Hildebrand was stripped of the ball on a QB keeper and senior linebacker Travis Pfannenstiel recovered at the 8-yard line.
"Every week, we tell them don't focus on the score or where we're on the field, just concentrate on your assignment," Cornelsen said.
After the turnover, Hays High put together its best drive of the game, marching 92 yards on 17 plays -- all runs -- to score, capped by Sedbrook's TD from a yard out with 10:56 left in the game. Unrein's PAT was blocked.
The Indians took 7:55 off the clock on the drive.
"We wanted ball control, we wanted to sustain drives," Cornelsen said. "I told the kids we've got to run the ball to keep them off the field."
Hays High stopped Great Bend on downs at the HHS 18 on the Panthers' next possession, with Hildebrand's pass on fourth down falling incomplete in the end zone. Hildebrand was intercepted by Balman on the Panthers' next series.
Great Bend -- helped by a personal foul by the Indians on a punt return -- got the ball at the HHS 36 late in the game. Hildebrand hooked up with senior wide receiver Connor Williams for a 23-yard TD pass with 2:03 remaining to make it 20-14.
Great Bend rallied in the fourth quarter to win its last three games, but not on this night.
Hays High got the ball on the ensuing onside kick. And after a Balman run up the middle gave the Indians a first down, Hays High was able to run out the clock.
Let the celebration begin.
"Pretty big win," Sedbrook said. "All of us came out and played hard."
Bombardier added 58 yards rushing on 20 carries as Hays High ran for 217 yards. The HHS defense, best in the WAC in stopping the run, held Great Bend to 63 yards on the ground. Pfannenstiel led the Indians with 10 tackles.
"That's the kind of football I enjoy, that toughness -- smash-mouth," Cornelsen said.
Fair weathered fans and cry babies??? Seems like Candice from Great Bend is the only cry baby I am seeing...Hays barely beat Great Bend...It only takes one more point than the other team to win...Not every game is a stomping. Hays will play hard against Hutch and we will be there cheering the boys on to victory.
(Posted by: football parent)
Hays fb: 10/22/2009
what a bunch of cry-babies and fair weathered fans you are, hutch will scalp the indians, it's not like you stomped great bend, you barely won
(Posted by: hays non fan)
Hays vs GB: 10/22/2009
Go Hutch! Hays will be 7-1 Friday night at 10 pm.
(Posted by: Booster)
To Candace & Others: 10/22/2009
Candace I think you need to get your facts straight before accusations come pouring out. I'm a mother of two boys so there is no need to think that I am some teenage kid running my mouth here. The incident you are speaking of was not Hays High School students. They were middle schoolers (and younger actually)--small, inconsiderate 10 and 11 year olds. Yes I was in the vicinity. Was it necessary or appropriate or responsible? Absolutely not. However, the administration handled it IMMEDIATELY--as well as some of us parents in the area. There is no need to come on the Hays Daily News comment section and 'tattle' on HHS fans. It's immature, plus the matter was dealt with immediately. We'll take care of our problems...you go ahead and have GB take care of theirs. Thanks for your much needed input though.
(Posted by: )
GB study!!!: 10/21/2009
Candace I am sorry, but I was at the game I saw no spitting going on. What I did see was fake flags from the stands and mini pads being thrown. These items were definitely were not being thrown from the HHS sideline. Maybe if the the students from GBHS students would spend more time studying, as opposed to planning on littering the field with these objects. If you were to do this you might make the standard of excellence like HHS did! Great Job all Indians! Oh and by the way the HHS seniors did pick up some trash that GB left (a sign that had the word Panthers on it). Great job senior boys of cleaning the community, and disposing of the sign properly (tearing it to pieces).
(Posted by: Sending home GB fans 1 argument at a time)
: 10/21/2009
hays had a great season but they will not win another game .
(Posted by: keep n it real)
Educators: 10/21/2009
No one complains more about their paycheck then a teacher. It's amazing they are all underpaid and overworked-just ask one. Thanks for a great season Coach C-it's been a blast
(Posted by: non-teacher-parent)
hhs football: 10/21/2009
all we know is HHS beat Gt Bend!!! AWESOME!!! for the the team and the coaches - we are so proud of you. Thank God for the new coach, he has done so much for our kids on & off of the football field. Go INDIANS Beat Hutchinson!!! Any team can be beat. 7-0 Sounds soooo sweet!
(Posted by: fan & parent of football player)
: 10/21/2009
trust me GB has had their fair share of poor sportsmanship in the past so to point fingers is just ridiculous. Take ownership in what your kids have done.
(Posted by: )
Hays vs GB: 10/21/2009
Just sorry we lost to Hays......let's see how many times in the last 9 years????? Don't care what you say, spitting on people is just nasty, and should be reported as bad sportsmanship.
(Posted by: Candace)
Coach C: 10/21/2009
He is changing the culture, when is the last time the student section chanted a coaches name, led by students that play basketball only. Keep going coach, we will follow
(Posted by: fromthestands)
Hey Candace: 10/21/2009
Candace, What about the feminine hygiene products (mini-pads) your kids threw on the track and in the area of the HHS players' locker room near the end of the game? Your school staff saw it and did nothing. Don't be so quick to claim perfect behavior.
(Posted by: )
Candace: 10/20/2009
I see you writing on the Hays Daily News Wall, obviously a little bitter over the loss. We may or may not beat Hutch but 7-1 sounds a whole lot better than 4-4. Congrats to GB on this years losing season. Keep it up Coach C, your changing the culture in Hays and everyone LOVES it! Oh and Candace do your self a favor and relax on the comments for a while..
(Posted by: Taylor )
candace: 10/20/2009
Candace, that was a nice stunt your gb students pulled with throwing their flags on the field.A few more of them and they might have had a chance in that game.
(Posted by: fan)
#81 Moritz -?: 10/20/2009
First of all tight ends don't play defense!! Moritz is NOT a tight-end. Ryan Rounkles is the starting tight-end. Moritz will come in as a defensive end on DEFENSE --- know what you are talking about! Obviouly you don't know much about football....
(Posted by: Fan)
Hays vs GB: 10/20/2009
If you think you can play with Hutch, keep dreaming!
(Posted by: Candace)
Hays vs GB: 10/20/2009
The administration of Hays High as well as parents of Hays High students must be so proud of the way your students spit on the GB Panther football team when they went to the locker room on Friday night....how dare you call GB white trash, look in the mirror, you don't see our fans pulling stunts like that.
(Posted by: Candace)
great job indians: 10/20/2009
Keep negative comments to ourselves? You just threw the first negative comment out in your post, referring to USD 489 hiring poor educators and coaches (wouldn't it be great if you could get a return on your investment with everyone else you hire)! Well, many educators in this district do an amazing job and don't get paid enough! Congrats to schools that did wonderful on State Assessments! Well job USD 489 for hiring wonderful educators! There is more to this district than sports!
(Posted by: )
Investment: 10/20/2009
My husband saw the coaching staff leaving the school at 11:45p.m the Sunday before the GB game, thanks coaches for the time and effort, there is a reason we have found ways to win. Amazing
(Posted by: Football Mom)
great job indians: 10/19/2009
Well put New Indian Fan! Hutchinson has no idea what they are in for Friday night, the Indians are not the same team they saw last year. Good luck HHS coaching staff and players. Bring home win #8.
(Posted by: Future HHS Football Mom)
great job indians: 10/19/2009
I want to send a big "Thank You" to the USD 489 school board for making the decision to hire coach Cornelsen to lead the Indians football and track team...this is money extremely well spent...wouldn't it be great if you could get a return on your investment with everyone else you hire like you are getting on your new coach...and this is just the beginning, he and his staff are showing what they are capable of doing with a great group of young athletes who are willing to work hard and accomplish what most people didn't think they could...when someone is hurt or can't play someone else comes in and steps up to the challenge and they get it done. Hutch is a good team, but what a lot of people are forgetting is that the Hays High Indians are a good team too...please keep the negative comments to yourselves...if you take the time to post a comment on this forum please support our kids, the coaching staff , the parents and everyone else who works hard to make this happen. Best of luck to the Indians and thank you for the great games you have given us so far and I know there will be many more to come, this is just the beginning of many good things to come in our community and our schools. Lead on Indians!
(Posted by: New Indian Fan)
Daniel Moritz #81: 10/19/2009
Moritz is one of the best tight ends out there. Didn't you see his sac Friday? Keep up the good work boy!!!
(Posted by: Hays Resident)
: 10/19/2009
Very Nice Season for the Indians!! Too bad you will have to face the football machine that is the Hutch Salthawks. Hutch is likely end another teams perfect season.
(Posted by: )
7-0..SOON 8-0! : 10/19/2009
i love all these boys!..They have all played so hard to get where they are today and thats 7-0 with the WAC title in there hands!! Travis Pfannenstiel is the best linebacker in the league! With a linebacker like that how can you not go 7-0!
(Posted by: Travys number 1 fan~!! )
Tyler Lacy: 10/19/2009
Tyler Lacy should be all state, best corner in HHS history!
(Posted by: Tyler Lacy's number 1)
Wilhoft tough: 10/19/2009
Tanner Wilhoft was extremely tough in this contest. The senior continues to lead a very strong line. Congrats to HHS and to the captain of the line, Tanner Wilhoft
(Posted by: Charlotte HHS Fan)
Where you at?: 10/18/2009
Where did all you naysayers and negative people go that were talking so much trash on our new coach? Love to hear what you have to say now that the coaches and team have shut your mouth! Leave our program alone and it will be one of the best in 5A for years to come! Great effort Indians!
(Posted by: HHS Supporter)
WAC Champs: 10/18/2009
Way to go Indians!!! what a sweet victory!!! Good job on Homecoming!!! only 2 games to go.
(Posted by: indian football fan)
Congratulations!: 10/18/2009
Congrats go out to Coach Cornelsen, his hard working assistant coaches, and the boys. What a fun setting Friday was! Go Indians!
(Posted by: HHS & TMP Supporter)
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