By KLINT SPILLER

The Hays Daily News

CONCORDIA -- Despite routing Concordia 53-14 in Friday night's season opener, first-year Hays High School football coach Ryan Cornelsen said his team still has much to improve on.

The battle between Cornelsen and former St. Francis coach Tim Lambert did not prove to be a replay of the clash Cornelsen's La Crosse team had with Lambert in the playoffs last season, as HHS put Concordia away in the first half, blasting the Panthers for 37 points.

The Indians scored on all but one drive and shut out Concordia in the first half, holding the Panthers to 29 total yards. The starters were out of the game midway through the third quarter.

However, Cornelsen said his team is going to have to play faster.

"We have a tough schedule, and it is going to get tougher each week," Cornelsen said. "So we know the speed of the game is going to speed up in the next couple weeks. We are excited about that challenge."

At times, Cornelsen said he thought his defense missed some assignments and his running game wasn't as crisp as he would have liked.

"I felt like our kids played with some emotion," Cornelsen said. "They played hard, but we just have to watch film and make some corrections."

In any case, Cornelsen said he was pleased with the Indians' first showcase of Cornelsen's spread, balance and power offensive sets.

"They understand what they are trying to do," Cornelsen said. "Now it is just about executing it. Each game is going to get faster and faster and being able to see things faster and faster. A lot of the things that worked tonight at that speed won't work next week."

HHS senior quarterback Bryant Bombardier completed 7-of-10 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns.

"(Bombardier) runs our offense well," Cornelsen said. "He makes some good decisions, and we just have to speed him up each week and get him to get rid of it quicker."

Senior wide receiver Brad Pruter was the target of two of Bombardier's touchdowns. Pruter led the team in receiving with three receptions for 102 yards.

Pruter's touchdown receptions came at the end of the first and second quarters.

Pruter made a 53-yard catch on a vertical route over the middle of the field as he outran his defender for the score. Then he made a 37-yard reception along the sideline as the cornerback tried for the interception with time expiring n the half.

"It was really exciting, but I couldn't have done it without a great offensive line, a great quarterback and pretty much a great offense," Pruter said. "I really have to thank them, because without them, I wouldn't have had time to get down the field."

The Indians were led in rushing by senior fullback Travis Pfannenstiel. He ran for 80 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.

HHS sophomore kicker Austin Unrein had a perfect day. He made a 34-yard field goal and a 45-yarder and was flawless on extra point attempts, making all five.

The defense held Concordia to 132 total yards for the game, but 86 of those yards and both scores came against the Indians' junior varsity squad in the fourth quarter.

"Everyone did their assignments in the first half and even in the second half before we came out," HHS senior center lineman Willhoft said. "I was hoping for the shutout, but it happens."

HHS committed no turnovers and was only penalized for 38 yards.

"Any time you don't have many penalties, you have a chance to win, and if you don't turn the ball over you, have a chance to win," Cornelsen said. "We were successful in those two areas, and that is probably the biggest key."

Hays High next faces Ulysses at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Indians' home opener at Lewis Field Stadium.