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Great Bend versus Hays 9/8/23
For the 86th time, the Great Bend Panthers and the Hays Indians faced off on the gridiron.
People from all around the area, and even the state, anticipated it would be a good game. They were not wrong.
In one of the most evenly-matched games seen in a while. The outcome of the game was not certain until the final minute. The deciding moment was Great Bend missing a late extra point. Hays then scored a matching touchdown and made their point after.
Great Bend attempted a last-second field goal, but the Indians blocked it.
The series record is 43-42-1 with Great Bend holding the one-win advantage.
Below are some of the pictures I took at the game:
The scoreboard shows the logos of both teams prior to the start of the game. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Great Bend Panthers break a huddle before the start of the game. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Hays Indians wait to take the field as the band plays. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Hays Indians run onto the field before the game. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panthers #54 Matthew Johnson, #51 Trenton Kern, #40 Colton Brack, and #62 Dee’onn Jones walk to the middle of the field as the team captains. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian Team Captains, #6 Malik Bah, #44 Derek Quach, #50 Kaiden Bunger, and #56 Henry Fitzthum walk to the middle of the field for the coin toss. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The lead official tosses the coin to decide who will get the ball first. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panthers #42 Cooper Liles, #51 Trenton Kern, and #54 Matthew Johnson all pursue the ball. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #6 Malik Bah cuts to find an opening. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #10 Carter Graham rushes with the ball. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #15 Jarek Purdy turns to catch the ball. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #15 Jarek Purdy scores the first touchdown of the game. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #10 Carter Graham kicks the Point After Touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #35 Cyrus Johnson celebrates sacking Great Bend’s quarterback. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #12 Daxton Minton hands the ball off to #16 Cody Miller. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #14 Ian Premer runs with the ball after catching it. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #10 Maddox Spray takes off down the sideline. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #10 Maddox Spray runs for the end zone as Hays Indian #21 Johnny Rigler pursues. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #10 Maddox Spray scores a touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panthers #10 Maddox Spray and #5 Jacob Hall celebrate Spray’s touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #10 Carter Graham throws a pass. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #14 Ian Premer celebrates creating a turnover. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #12 Daxton Minton throws a pass. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #12 Daxton Minton dives for the end zone as he is tackled. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #12 Daxton Minton looks to give the ball to someone after a play. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian Head Coach Tony Crough delivers a message to his defense after they gave up a score. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #6 Malik Bah scores a touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
The Hays Indian Student Section cheers on their team. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #23 Cooper Ohnmacht throws a pass as Hays Indian #44 Derek Quach pressures. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #15 Jarek Purdy jumps higher to get the ball as Great Bend Panther #10 Maddox Spray defends. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #23 Cooper Ohnmacht intercepts a pass meant for Hays Indian #6 Malik Bah. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #10 Maddox Spray catches a pass. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #12 Daxton Minton throws a pass. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #12 Daxton Minton looks to the side lines for a play to run. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panthers #55 Karter Brown and #54 Matthew Johnson move to block a Hays Indian as a play begins. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #16 Cody Miller carries the ball. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #40 Colton Brack breaks a tackle by Hays Indian #14 Cooper Lindenmeyer. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #62 Dee’onn Jones celebrates a tackle for a loss. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #5 Jacob Hall runs towards the out of bounds line. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #14 Ian Premer leaps for a pass. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #23 Cooper Ohnmacht throws a pass across his body. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #40 Colton Brack waits for a pass to land in his hands. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #40 Colton Brack turns towards the end zone after catching the ball. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #40 Colton Brack offers the ball to an official after scoring a touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #40 Colton Brack hands the ball to a referee after scoring a touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #21 Kaiden Hoffman defends as Hays Indian #10 Carter Graham goes for a pass. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #10 Carter Graham rushes with the ball. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #50 Kaiden Bunger celebrates #33 Ian McGuire’s touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther Head Coach Erin Beck talks to a fellow coach in between plays. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #14 Ian Premer catches a pass between Hays Indians #44 Derek Quach and #14 Cooper Lindenmeyer. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #16 Cody Miller rushes with the ball. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #14 Ian Premer sprints for the end zone. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #14 Ian Premer scores a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #14 Ian Premer leaps into the end zone to score a touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Great Bend Panther #14 Ian Premer celebrates scoring a touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays Indian #80 Dawson Ruder helps #13 Johnny Cano celebrate the game-tying touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Hays players and fans celebrate the go-ahead made Point After Touchdown. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
Members of the Hays Indians and Great Bend Panthers shake hands following the game. The Hays Indians defeated the Great Bend Panthers 28-27 in a Western Athletic Conference football game held at Lewis Field Stadium on the campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas on September 8, 2023. (Photo: Joey Bahr, www.joeybahr.com)
