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The Wildcats fought hard in their season opener against the Hays Hawks last Friday, but comeback efforts fell short.
Elgin’s varsity football team suffered a 31-21 loss after a red zone interception by quarterback Dylan Owens sealed the game. Owens finished with 145 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and 65 rushing yards.
The Wildcats faced a tough battle from the start. The Hawks quickly seized momentum with a 32-yard pass that set up an early touchdown, followed by a 40-yard field goal to extend their lead to 10-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Hays kept the pressure on in the second quarter, widening the gap when wide receiver Troy Wright took a direct snap in a wildcat formation and powered his way to a 23-yard touchdown.
Elgin responded with two unanswered touchdowns, narrowing the deficit to 17-14 at halftime. However, Hays regained control in the third quarter with a 36-yard touchdown run from running back Anthony Hernandez.
The Wildcats’ run defense struggled to contain the Hawks, who racked up 170 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground, with Hernandez accounting for three of them.
Despite a late touchdown that brought Elgin within three points at 24-21, the Wildcats gave up another rushing touchdown to Hernandez, sealing their fate.
Senior wide receiver Jalen Owens led Elgin with 84 receiving yards. On defense, junior linebacker James Young recorded seven total tackles, while junior cornerback Xavier Penson contributed two pass deflections and an interception.
Hays was led by junior quarterback Tacoma Ames, who tallied 116 passing yards and one interception. Other key players for the Hawks included sophomore wide receiver Troy Wright, who had 25 yards and a touchdown, and senior defensive lineman Lynford Noriega, who led his team with two sacks.
With the loss, Elgin falls to 0-1 on the season. The Wildcats will look to bounce back when they host Anderson on Friday, Sept. 6.
