By KLINT SPILLER

kspiller@dailynews.net

For Hays High School football coach Ryan Cornelsen, the Maroon and Gold Kickoff Classic provides an opportunity to correct significant problems with his football team.

Cornelsen said he saw some problems right away, and after he watches film, he'll likely find some more.

Right off the bat, Cornelsen said he noticed his team needs to improve its fitness and get into game shape. There also were several occasions where snap were bobbled.

"We are probably no different than any other team at this point," Cornelsen said. "We are going to play a lot of guys both ways. That first game, we are going to have a ways to go to get in shape, but we'll work on it."

The Indians participated in a shortened scrimmage. It was ended early due to approaching thunderstorms, but the varsity team through freshmen squads saw action.

Hays High's scrimmage wasn't live. Whistles were blown on first touch.

"At this point, we don't need any injuries or want to get anybody banged up," Cornelsen said. "We limited it to first touch and holding them up. That's just kind of my philosophy."

The Indians ran a simple offense, and the majority of the plays called were on the ground.

"With our offensive line, where we have been the weakest is our run blocking, so we wanted to make sure tonight we focused on the running the ball out of our base offense and see if our offensive line has gotten better," Cornelsen said.

Hays High is coming off an 8-2 season and its first playoff berth since 1995.

However, the Indians graduated nine all-WAC players and return just three starters on offense and four on defense.

The scrimmage wasn't live, but practices have been more intense than past seasons to prepare for Hays High's season opener at 7 p.m. Friday at Class 6A Junction City.

"We have done more live in practice than we ever have to get ready, but we are ready to hit somebody other than ourselves," Cornelsen said.