Abilene Cowboys Remain Undefeated As Hays Goes Down

Abilene Cowboys Remain Undefeated As Hays Goes Down

by Erik Graefe

Hays returned the opening kickoff of Friday night’s district playoff game all the way down to the Cowboy 7 yard line. For the second week in a row, Michael Anguiano’s speed prevented a touchdown on the game’s first play. Anguiano’s touchdown saving tackle set up a goal line stand for Nathan Howard’s defense, just as it had in McPherson. And, just like last week, the Cowboy defense yielded nothing, setting the tone for a game that would be lopsided in favor of the home team.

It sounds an odd observation to make of a team that yielded a return of 80 some yards on the first play of the game, but without question, this was the best start of the year for the Abilene Cowboys. Following the goal line stand, the Cowboy offense responded with a 99 yard drive for a touchdown. The bulk of those yards, 78, were provided by Parker O’Neal as he followed a tremendous trap block by Cale Mayden for his longest rushing touchdown of the year. On Hays’ next possession, junior Jaron Christiensen did what he has done all year long, recovering a fumble and returning the ball to his offense. This time the Cowboys would score through the air. On third down from the Hays 20 yard line, Harley Hazlett rolled out to his right and found Ben Veach in the back of the end zone for the touchdown. The extra point looked to be a disaster following a botched snap, but Ryan Wilson did what he has done all year, using his savvy and speed to outrun the Hays defenders to the pylon for a two point conversion. Just like that, the Cowboys led 15-0. Howard’s defense would force a punt on the following possession giving the ball back to Hazlett and the offense on their own 30 yard line. This time, Hazlett called his own number, following his center Andy Tope right through the teeth of the Hays defense. The Cowboy signal called doesn’t need much daylight, and Tope provided the little he did need to race 70 yards untouched for the third Abilene touchdown. With a little over one minute remaining in the first quarter, the score was 22-0 in favor of Abilene. If last week’s game was reminiscent of a 15 round prize fight, this one looked more like a first round knockout. Think early Mike Tyson.

With time running out in the first half, Hays showed signs of life, scoring on a long pass play and making the score 22-7. What followed during the final minute of the first half will be difficult to describe adequately. This author hopes that you were in attendance, because reading about the last minute of the first half just doesn’t approach seeing it with your own eyes. Perhaps Harley Hazlett wanted to make it easy on potential college recruiters by creating a highlight reel in less than sixty ticks of the game clock. Hays kicked off following their touchdown, and Hazlett fielded the kick on the second hop. The senior quarterback returned the kick 79 yards, weaving through Hays defenders and following his blocks like a 6’4” version of Tyler Lockett. For the second week in a row, Coach Adam Gantenbein’s kick return team scored a touchdown. Hazlett was not done, after all, there was still twenty some seconds left in the half. Hays would attempt a deep pass on their first play following Ryan LaCombe’s kick. Guess who intercepted it? Guess who ran it back for another touchdown with 12 ticks left on the clock? As I said earlier, you really had to be at Paul Dennis field to appreciate it. Hazlett’s pick six was disallowed because of a phantom penalty, but just like last week, Abilene’s big plays had delivered a knock out blow to an opponent at about the midpoint of the contest. At halftime, Abilene 29, Hays 7.

The second half seemed a mere formality. Senior Ryan LaCombe would kick a field goal in the third quarter, revealing a tremendously valuable asset for Coach Simpson’s team as the victory over Hays guarantees a further playoff run. Trey Bender would run for another touchdown later to bring the final score to 38 to 7 in favor of the orange guys.

The Abilene Cowboys now sport a record of 8 wins and 0 losses. All of the elements are in place for a deep run in the state playoffs. Friday night in Buhler, the Cowboys will face another undefeated team. It will take the Cowboys’ best effort of the year to defeat the Crusaders on their home turf, but what else would you want this time of year?