A solid offensive performance coupled with some key defensive stops helped the Indian football team secure its second victory of the year, a 37-23 win over McPherson Friday night at Lewis Field Stadium.

In the early going, it looked to be all Hays as the Indians jumped out to a 17-0 advantage in the first quarter. The Indians scored at the 4:14 mark in the first quarter after senior Preston Weigel capped a 45-yard drive with a six-yard run. Senior Layne Clark added the PAT.

Less than 10 seconds later, senior Clayton Riedel picked off a McPherson pass and returned it 23 yards for six points. Clark again added the PAT to make it 14-0 with 4:09 left in the first period. The Indians scored again on its next possession after Clark booted a 38-yard field goal to give Hays a 17-0 lead with 1:27 left in the first quarter.

McPherson did not quit, however, as the Bullpups made it 17-7 at the 8:59 mark. McPherson then recovered the ensuing kickoff and turned that into another seven points to pull within three, 17-14, with 8:07 left in the half.

On its next possession, Hays put together a 65-yard drive that made it 24-14 with 6:20 left in the half.

McPherson drove the length of the field on its next possession but the drive stalled at the Hays 11-yard line after the Indian defense stiffened and forced the Bullpups to give it up on downs. The Indians drove the length of the field and reached the four-yard line, but a subsequent run for loss and a penalty thwarted a touchdown. However, Clark kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired to give Hays a comfortable 27-14 lead.

After the break, McPherson took the opening kick-off and drove the length of the field, but again the Indian defense kept the Bullpups out the of the end zone as the drive stalled at the two. After a Hays punt, McPherson went back on the attack and drove the ball to the five and had a first and goal. Four plays later, the Indians had pushed McPherson back to the nine yard line, forcing the Bullpups to settle for a field goal that made it 27-17 with 34 seconds left in the third quarter.

Hays scored made it 34-17 on its next possession when Weigel sprinted 61 yards for a touchdown with 11:04 left in the game.
Although McPherson put another score on the board with 5:26 left in the game, it was too little too late as the Indians held on for the 34-23 win.

Next action for the Indians will be at Liberal when they face a 2-0 Redskins team that has put up 56 points in each of its last two games against Ulysses and Guymon, Okla.