Hays High falls victim to 5A juggernaut
Published on -10/25/2009, 10:04 PM
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By KLINT SPILLER
The Hays Daily News
HUTCHINSON -- It was still eight days before Halloween, but the Hays High School football team was left wanting a treat after Friday night's game.
In a battle against one of the best teams in the state the past five years, previously unbeaten Hays High simply couldn't scare up a win against Hutchinson, as the Indians were crushed 56-0 by the Salthawks in Class 5A, District 6 action.
Hays High first-year coach Ryan Cornelsen placed the blame squarely on his shoulders.
"I didn't have a very good plan," he said. "I didn't have a very good approach. I thought the kids did what I asked. I just didn't do a very good job of having them ready. I've got to do a better job."
Hutchinson (8-0 overall, 2-0 district) has won five consecutive state championships and is ranked No. 1 in Class 5A in the statewide media poll.
"They are as good as I've seen at this level, and I've been around some pretty good football teams," Cornelsen said.
The Indians' offense never crossed midfield as Hays High was outgained by the Salthawks 414-70 in total yards.
"We weren't prepared," Hays High sophomore running back Brad Desbien said. "I think we are just as good as them. They might outman us, but we weren't ready, and we didn't play hard enough."
Hays High (7-1, 1-1) managed two first downs, while Hutchinson had 20.
With the lack of offense, the defense was given several short fields. Hutchinson only started behind its own 40-yard line once in the game, helping the Salthawks score touchdowns on eight of their 11 drives.
The score could have been even more lopsided if Hays High wouldn't have recovered two Salthawk fumbles inside the Indians' 20-yard line during two of Hutchinson's first three drives.
"Our defense was just attacking and staying low on a couple of drives," Hays High junior Zack Gaughan said. "On a couple of drives we did it, but we just couldn't do it the whole game. I don't know why. We just didn't step up."
The Salthawks gained 347 yards on the ground. Senior running back Deveon Dinwiddie led Hutchinson in rushing with 115 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries.
Hutchinson senior fullback Josh Smith added 71 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries before sustaining a knee injury in the second quarter and missing the rest of the game.
"Their backs were fast," Gaughan said. "They just got to the edge really well. We couldn't stop it."
Hays High posted all of its yardage on the ground, rushing for 70 yards on 39 carries.
Desbien led the team with 35 yards on 15 carries, while junior fullback Josh Balman added 24 yards on 10 carries.
Hays High senior quarterback Bryant Bombardier threw four incomplete passes, one of which resulted in a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown.
"We just weren't clicking," Desbien said. "You can't blame it on one person. We are a team. No one played."
Hutchinson scored only one touchdown in the first quarter as Smith scored on a 5-yard run.
However, the Salthawks poured it on during the second quarter, scoring four touchdowns.
Dinwiddie scored three touchdowns on runs of 2, 5 and 8 yards, and junior fullback Deshawn Dinwiddie scored on a 2-yard run.
Hutchinson senior defensive back Wes Warren picked Bombardier off and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown, and Deshawn Dinwiddie bulldozed his way 6 yards for the Salthawks' second touchdown in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Hutchinson sophomore backup quarterback Lucas Munds faked a handoff and scored on a 3-yard run.
Cornelsen said there was only one positive thing to take away from the game.
"Don't play like that ever again. That is about all we can take away from that," he said.
Hutchinson coach Randy Dreiling said he was impressed with Hays High's progress, but said it will take time to make it to the next level.
"You can't expect them to turn the corner in basically a summer and five weeks, to catch up with what we've gained in 13 years," Dreiling said. "You just can't do that."
However, the Indians still control their destiny as they return home to face McPherson (7-1, 1-1) on Friday. McPherson won 49-10 at Great Bend (4-4, 0-2).
Hutchinson has clinched the district title, while the McPherson-Hays High winner gets the second playoff spot out of the district.
"We'll find out what kind of fight that we have in us," Cornelsen said. "If the kids have any fight in them, then they'll come back and not accept that type of performance."
If the Indians win Friday, they will make the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
"We've got to beat McPherson now to get into the playoffs," Gaughan said. "It is going to be a tough week of practice, but that is what we need to get back on track. We've got to go harder than ever if we want to beat Mac."
Taxpayer -- you obviously do not have a clue about the budget of USD 489. Cut the athletic budget? The budget at USD 489 for athletics is very minimal. If it were not for the teams fundraising, businesses supporting HHS, parents supporting these fundraisers and the athletic booster club, the athletic programs would not have any funding. You need to do your research and check out other 5A districts -- USD 489 is WAY BEHIND the times!!!! It is people like you that prevent the district from being able to raise funds for anything, whether it be sports, music, classroom equipment, buildings, etc.
(Posted by: Very Supportive parent of USD 489)
: 10/29/2009
Take sports out of a school and see what that does for the kids. Sports give the kids something to look forward to and be proud of. Take that away and the problems will multiply. Quit griping about what he's getting paid. Go to the board and ask to see his football salary. You'll probably be amazed at how LOW it is compared to other 5A districts
(Posted by: If you don't like it, leave)
?????: 10/28/2009
I was involved in High School Athletics, and the School District was not driven by sports and the need to win at all costs. Like pouring $$$$ into salaries for football coaches. I'm not jealous of any the student athletes of today nor the ones I was part of years ago. The School District needs to cut the Athletic Budgets and put the money where it will do all the students of the District the most good. Students who are struggling in School aren't helped one bit by a Footbal Coach or a sucessful Foootball Program. Programs that are getting under funded are not helped by the same situation either. It is a shame to see the majority of Students being slighted just for the sake of a winning Football Team. Winning isn't everything, and it never was!
(Posted by: Taxpayer)
Hays vs McP: 10/28/2009
McPherson will dominate, Hays doesn't have a chance...you are all living in a dream world..typical Hays
(Posted by: Rebel)
Hays vs Hutch: 10/28/2009
"We are just as good as Hutch"? What a dumb quote, the only reason the score wasn't 100+ to nothing, is Hutch put in their JV second half....you Hays people are in denial
(Posted by: rebel)
Hays People: 10/28/2009
Really. who cares? good season for Hays High, but when its all said and done Mac will be in the playoffs. I love football just as much as the next man, but it is amazing how much emotional people get over a sport, but could care less that this city, country, world, is full of negative happenings. Im happy for the kids but get a clue
(Posted by: God is Love)
Taxpayer: 10/28/2009
There is no way you were involved in any activities in high school. You obviously are one of those jealous people who never got involved but complained about the sports in school. IF you would have been involved you would realize that activities teach you as much (probably more) about life and shape your character to be successful than anything else kids can be involved in. Don't be so quick to judge when you haven't experienced it yourself. Please leave jealousy out of this! Kids futures are being shaped positively.....let that happen!!!
(Posted by: )
Taxpayer: 10/28/2009
Taxpayer Get your facts right before you pop off, I hear this all the time with uneducated people. Majority of his salary comes from teaching and his master's degree, he then coaches 3 sports, which football is the least paid. He actually makes less than the last coach for football, based on experience. If you only new the things he has done for my son and others, you would quickly realize you cant pay anyone enough for his qualities, it has nothing to do with winning, but improving the lives of the kids he coaches. Priceless in my book.
(Posted by: football mom & educated)
????: 10/27/2009
High School sports are not supposed to bring in money to a High School or a School District. The purpose of a High School is to educate our students, plain and simple. It is sickening that we pay this guy the amount of money for one sport, it is appalling how the importance of an education has gone away to a few games a year. It won't bring higher caliber Teachers to this District, we have lost all touch with reality. Kids need to be taught, not coddled and putting so much emphasis on sports. We pay too much for a Superintendent and his Staff as well. Education not sports is what we should be putting all of the money into period.
(Posted by: Fed Up Taxpayer)
IMPRESSED: 10/27/2009
I was at the game last Friday and I promise you that Hays is a different program under Coach Cornelson. Everyone in Hays should be proud of whats going on. The idiot who commented on this site about teachers taking a cut is totally jealous! Truth be known, your coach will bring in 10 times more money than you pay him with all of the fans and excitement, I know that happened here in Hutch.
(Posted by: )
Your on your Way!Yestou: 10/26/2009
Hutch Fan here i am impressed with Coach Cornelson Hays people give him time. Hutchs program wasnt built overnight. Your team is a class act reflects your coach. You remind me where Hutch was at one time as we were building. You have the coach to build your team support him. He will get you there!
(Posted by: Team-1)
Good strategy...: 10/26/2009
Hutch fan here. I honestly think that Cornelson had a good game-plan. Hutch players didn't even have a chance to catch a punt with the punter kicking out of bounds and both Smith and Dinwiddie were probably held to their season lows from a yards per carry standpoint. Hutch usually has a whole bunch of big plays on offense, but Hays made them grind out drives, so really, I think Hays did pretty well. There was just a big difference in physical presence on the field Friday night, but maybe Cornelson can help change that over the next few years with the work in the weight room.
(Posted by: TFL)
Are you serious?: 10/25/2009
How ignorant are you TEACHERS TAKE A CUT? Read what their coach said. "You can't expect them to turn the corner in basically a summer and five weeks, to catch up with what we've gained in 13 years," and it will take time to get to the next level. If you haven't seen progress this year, get a clue! If you don't like what he's getting paid, then move to a different district. You'll find a FB coach there, with the same degree, and same coaching supplements will make very similar to what ours is making!
(Posted by: GET A CLUE!)
What a bitter person, HUMBLE PIE: 10/25/2009
Humble Pie Its obvious your into the profession for one reason and thats yourself. talk about one bitter post, get a life or better yet another profession. do you even care about kids. Good luck on Friday Indians. Most are pulling for you.
(Posted by: TMP and HHS Supporter)
Go Indians: 10/25/2009
Area Football Fans Lets pack the house on Friday Night and support the Coaches and Players as they go after a state Bid versus MAC the 2nd best team in 5A. Liberal and Dodge have qualified for state lets make it 3 teams from the WAC. The coaches and kids will be ready FANS LET BE READY AS WELL.
(Posted by: GO Indians!!!!!!!!!)
HUMBE PIE: 10/25/2009
NOW COMES THE TIME TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE PAID FOR. ENJOY. MAYBE WE NEED TO PAY MORE &
(Posted by: TEACHERS TAKE A CUT)
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