EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
HAYS — With three minutes to play and Hays trying to run out the clock with a 19-14 lead, Liberal’s chances of a victory were fading. But that changed when the Angry Red defense forced Hays to attempt a third down pass, but before the Hays quarterback could find a receiver, a blitzing Landon Martinez knocked the ball out of the quarterback’s hands backward, and Martinez headed to the dribbling ball, scooped it up in stride and headed to the end zone to give the Redskins a 20-19 lead.
The Angry Red defense was able to get two key stops in the final three minutes to secure the road victory.
Hays delivered the first haymaker with a39-yard reception late in the first quarter that led to a touchdown and a 6-0 lead.
But the Liberal offense couldn’t sustain a drive, and the best drive they had ended at the Indian 28 yard line.
Hays couldn’t add to their lead, either. The Angry Red defense didn’t allow another big play in the first half and continued to give the Redskin offense a chance.
With 1:52 to play in the first half the Redskins started a drive at their own 26 yard line, and Tevin Cotter threw a deep pass to James Fieser in one-on-one coverage. Fieser made the catch, outran the defender, and then juked by the safety for a 76-yard touchdown reception and a 6-6 tie.
The Liberal defense started the second half with two more stops, and the Redskins offense took over at the Redskin 14 yard line.
Liberal lost four yards on first down, and on second down Cotter threw another deep ball to a double covered Fieser who made the catch, made the two defenders miss, and then put a move on the safety to complete a 90-yard touchdown pass and a 14-6 Liberal lead.
Hays answered with a 10-play drive that ended with a touchdown with three minutes to play in the third quarter. But Hays opted to kick the field goal and trailed 14-13.
The Indians followed that score with a three-and-out on defense, and when Liberal bobbled the punt snap, Hays took over at the Liberal 47 yard line.
Hays took advantage of the short field and completed it with a 29-yard touchdown pass to take a 19-14 lead.
Liberal’s drive stalled at the Redskin 38 yard line, and Hays took over with a chance to run out the clock.
Hays ran two straight dives that went nowhere, and facing a third-and-10, Hays was forced to pass.
That’s when a well-timed blitz led to the scoop and score by Martinez and a 20-19 lead.
Liberal prevented a Hays fourth down conversion at the 47 yard line, and after a three-and-out that forced Hays to burn all three timeouts, the Redskins backed Hays up to the 7 yard line with a solid punt from Horacio Casas.
Hays moved the ball to the 48 yard line but the Angry Red defense didn’t give up the big play, and time ran out on the Indians.
The win secured the fifth seed for the Redskins (6-2) and guaranteed a home playoff game. Liberal will host the Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles (2-6) at 7 p.m. Friday at Redskin Field.