Rebels Hold Off Rangers; Eye Potential Playoff Berth

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: October 28, 2017

photos: Steve Thomas

Vista Ridge Rally Falls Short Against Hays Consolidated

For head coach Neal Lahue and the Hays Consolidated Rebels, the season got off to a rough start. After defeating Georgetown East View in their season opener, the Rebels lost five consecutive games including their first two district contests - Austin Lake Travis and Austin Westlake. Beginning with a win over district rival Kyle Lehman two weeks ago, however, the Rebels had rattled off two consecutive wins to improve to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in district.

Cedar Park Vista Ridge, meanwhile, entered the game at 4-3 overall and 2-1 in district. The Rangers won their first two district contests but had just received a 42-0 drubbing last week against district rivals Austin Vandegrift. With the Rangers and Rebels sitting at fourth and fifth in District 25-6A, the winner of tonight’s game would likely have the edge for a playoff berth.

After the Rebels held the Rangers to a three-and- out on the opening drive, Hays senior running back Cade Powell opened the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown run. In response, Vista Ridge senior running back Joe Goodwin tied the game at 7-7 with two-yard touchdown run.. Powell put the Rebels back in front 14-7 on the next possession with a 13-yard touchdown run. The Rebels’ defense held the Rangers to another three-and-out, and junior kicker Joe Banuelos put Hays in front 17-7 with a 30-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Junior running back Thailand Mayberry extended the Hays lead to 24-7 midway through the second quarter with his first of three touchdowns on the night. Throughout the game, the running back tandem of Powell and Mayberry gashed the Vista Ridge defense. The Rangers finally responded when senior quarterback Jake Taute found the end zone on a 44-yard keeper. Hays junior quarterback Xavier Martinez responded with a 17-yard touchdown keeper of his own to give the Rebels a 31-14 lead going into halftime.

On the first play of the second half, Mayberry extended the Hays lead to 38-14 on a 77-yard touchdown run. Vista Ridge responded with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Taute to junior wide receiver Naequwan White. The Rangers caught the Rebels off-guard recovered their onside kick following the touchdown, but Hays kept the ball after officials ruled Vista Ridge recovered the kick before it went ten yards. Hays managed to drive all the way to the Vista Ridge five-yard line, but the Rangers’ defense held and forced the Rebels to turn the ball over on downs. The Rangers’ offense could not take advantage of the stop, however, and were forced to punt. Thailand Mayberry then scored his third touchdown of the night to put the Rebels up 45-21 late in the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Joe Goodwin scored his second touchdown of the night; and the Rangers completed the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 45-29. Naequwan White recovered the onside kick for Vista Ridge, but the Hays defense forced the Rangers to turn the ball over downs. Midway through the fourth quarter, Taute brought the Rangers to within one score at 45-37 when he reached the end zone on a four-yard keeper and caught the two-point conversion attempt on a reverse. The Rebels, however, recovered the onside kick and ran the clock down to 55 seconds before punting to the Rangers. The Rebels downed the kick at the Vista Ridge five-yard line, and the Rangers only managed to reach midfield before time ran out.

After the game, Hays head coach Neal Lahue credited his team for overcoming some of their late struggles and getting the win. He also credited his offensive line for contributing to the success of the run game throughout the night. Thailand Mayberry echoed Lahue’s sentiments regarding the offensive line and also credited Cade Powell and Xavier Martinez for their contributions.

With the win, Hays improves to 4-5 overall and 3-2 in district. The Rebels return home to Shelton Stadium next week to conclude their regular season against Leander Vandegrift. Vista Ridge, meanwhile, falls to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in district. The Rangers travel to Lakeway next week to take on Austin Lake Travis.

by Steve Thomas