By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

Play strong defense, especially against the run. Sustain drives offensively. Be disciplined and don't turn the ball over. Rise up and make plays in late-game situations.

It was the formula the 2009 Hays High School football team used under first-year coach Ryan Cornelsen to produce a 7-2 record, including a 4-0 league mark in Western Athletic Conference play. Helped by a Class 5A-best 5-0 record in games decided by 11 points or fewer, the Indians won their first outright WAC football title in school history. This season, the Indians look to have similar success and reach the postseason for the first time since 1995.

"Our philosophy won't change much," Cornelsen said.

From 2007-08, the Indians went 6-12 (1-7 WAC) under Rick Blosser, allowed 221 yards rushing per game, 5.3 yards a carry and threw 35 interceptions. Cornelsen, after six successful seasons at La Crosse, changed the mentality and led HHS to seven straight wins to open the fall.

"We weren't going to give up," senior all-conference end Zack Gaughan said. "We play hard. The other teams obviously play hard too, but we played harder. We were more disciplined because we had been taught that way by Coach Cornelsen. I think we just pulled it out because we were more disciplined than other teams."

Last year, the Indians permitted 206 points, their best scoring defense since 2005. The front seven on defense helped hold opponents to 115 yards rushing per game and 3.2 yards a carry.

"Instead of being timid, we all just turned 180 and attack, attack," Gaughan said. "We have (attack) on our shirts. Coach says it all the time. Our mentality is clearly different. ... It's not like we have that much better athletes. We just think differently."

Gaughan and senior Rycor Reese are returning starters at defensive end, while juniors Cash Drylie, Luke Madden and sophomore Cade Sharp compete at defensive tackle to replace graduated Tanner Willhoft in the 4-3 front. At linebacker, senior Casey Sedbrook (101 tackles) and junior Zach Binder, both all-WAC picks, return at weak side and middle linebacker, respectively. Junior Mark Mathis is the probable starter to replace 2009 Shrine Bowl selection Travis Pfannenstiel at strong side linebacker.

"That will be a big question mark for the first couple of games, is how well that unit will come on," Cornelsen said. "I still think in high school football, you have to be able to stop the run. I think if you can't stop the run, you deserve to get beat."

In the secondary, senior all-WAC pick Josh Balman is back at strong safety and will lead an inexperienced group. Cornelsen would like to play three corners and three safeties; options include junior Brad Desbien and seniors Jarrett Sanders and Dylan Scoby.

On the offensive line, Cornelsen returns junior all-WAC honorable mention pick Brandon Weigel at guard. He moved Gaughan from tackle to tight end, junior Josh Rounkles and Madden are the tackles, while Binder will play guard. At center, senior Hayden David leads a position that Cornelsen calls "wide open" after Willhoft's graduation.

"Tanner Willhoft is probably the hardest player for us to replace, just because of the positions that he played and he is such a solid player," Cornelsen said.

Junior Austin Unrein takes over for Bryant Bombardier at quarterback. The Indians threw the ball just 72 times last season, but Bombardier led the WAC in yards per pass attempt (8.97) and threw just six interceptions, second-fewest in the league.

Cornelsen likes to have multiple options running the ball; those choices include Unrein, Sedbrook and Balman (combined 602 rushing yards) and Desbien. Sophomore Adam Deterding, at 6-foot-6, is the main receiver in his first year of varsity action.

"We are going to have to be good defensively and we are going to have be disciplined offensively and not turn the ball over," Cornelsen said.

"I think if we are going to do that, no matter what level you are at, or what talent pool you have, I think you are going to have a chance to win."