By Jim Irish
Photos by Dustyn Werner
For the third consecutive game, Cedar Creek allowed two running backs to gain more than 100 yards rushing each.
Hays second-string quarterback Troy Wright and running back Anthony Rodriquez exploited the Cedar Creek defense for 143 and 101 yards, respectively. Those numbers were too great for Cedar Creek to overcome.
"I just wanted to win the game."
-- Hays head coach Mark Torres about inserting back quarterback Troy Wright
The Eagles played their closest game of the season — leading 3-0 in the second quarter — but fell 20-10 in a District 12-5A Division I opener at Memorial Stadium on Friday.
The Eagles (0-3) dropped their 28th consecutive game dating back to 2021.
Wright, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound sophomore, supercharged Hays’ offense with speed, agility, and cutting ability. Late in the second quarter, he ran a keeper up the middle, cut left, slipped tackles, and dashed down the sideline for a 53-yard touchdown. Cedar Creek’s Ivan Lopez had the final shot at Wright, trying to push him out of bounds at the 10, but Wright absorbed it and reached the end zone as Hays regained the lead 14-10.
"In two years, he might be the best player on the field no matter who we play,” Hays first-year coach Mark Torres said about Wright, a multi-position player. “His confidence will grow.”
A 64-yard scamper for a touchdown by Wright in the third quarter was nullified by a holding penalty. Hays was flagged for 127 yards in penalties.
"I know that’s how it’s going down in the books,” Torres said about the penalty. “I’m still not pleased with the call.”
About the penalties, Torres said, "That’s just awful. It’s hard to overcome that. I’m proud of the fact we did.”
Wright replaced starting quarterback Tacoma Ames in the third quarter. Torres called his offense a “struggling” spread.
"I just wanted to win the game,” Torres said about inserting Wright.
"That's just awful. ..."
-- Torres about 127 yards in penalties against Hays
Cedar Creek fashioned a drive in the second quarter, reaching the red zone. But it settled for a 30-yard field goal by David Chavez for a brief 3-0 edge
Hays (2-2) responded on its next possession. Hernandez, a quick 5-8, 165-pound junior, carried five times, including a 5-yard for the touchdown for a 7-3 advantage.
Cedar Creek regained the lead 10-7 on a 6-yard curl pattern from quarterback Blaze Orr to wide receiver Dakota Baker.
On the opening possession of the third quarter, Wright carried five of six plays. Stopped in the red zone, Hays’ Karson Kelnar converted a 30-yard field goal for a 17-10 lead.
Cedar Creek missed a scoring opportunity in the third in the red zone when an Orr pass ricocheted off Hays Eyan Stigall and into the hands of teammate Ayden Miller for an interception
Also in the third, Hays’ defense stuffed an Orr keeper for no gain on fourth-and-two on the Hays 35.
The Hawks drove inside the red zone in the fourth quarter, where Kelnar hit a 25-yard field for a 20-10 lead.
Hays’ Lynford Noriega blocked an Orr pass on third down later in the fourth, which forced Cedar Creek to punt.
Orr completed 17 of 38 passes for 149 yards. Baker, an outstanding possession receiver, grabbed eight passes for 73 yards.
Cedar Creek’s running game was limited to 58 yards. Scott led with 29 yards on eight carries but fumbled once.
Cedar Creek visits Lehman (0-4 overall, 0-2 in district) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Jim Irish is a freelance run in Bastrop, Texas
Dillon Dubee going back to punt on 2 fourth downs ran it for Cedar Creek to get two 1st downs.