Canode’s late scramble helps Bentonville hold off Hays

Published On: September 19, 2026Categories: Featured, High School, News

Bentonville 20, Hays 14

HAYS, Kan. — Evan Canode converted third-and-13 with a 14-yard scramble, and Bentonville kept the ball for the final 5:45 to secure a 20-14 victory over Hays on Friday night.

The Tigers built a 20-0 lead before Hays scored twice in the fourth quarter. Bentonville improved to 3-0 and outgained the Indians 312-206 in total offense. Hays finished its homecoming game 2-1.

Canode threw touchdown passes of 39 yards to Aiden McCarthy and 40 yards to Evan Moll. Nathan Clouston added a 2-yard touchdown run. Hays quarterback Joey Dintino completed nine of 18 passes for 132 yards, while Brogan Albers caught three passes for 103 yards.

Bentonville opened by forcing a three-and-out. After a holding penalty erased a Clouston touchdown on a screen pass, Canode rolled left and found McCarthy, who caught a tipped pass for the opening touchdown. Blake Stroud’s kick made it 7-0 with 10:14 remaining in the first quarter.

Riley Windholz intercepted a pass later in the quarter, giving Hays possession at Bentonville’s 37. Mason Burnett broke up a pass intended for Albers, and the Tigers eventually stopped the Indians on fourth-and-eight at the 35.

Bentonville’s second touchdown came on a 75-yard drive. Clouston converted fourth-and-one in Tiger territory, Stephen Schafer broke a run into Hays territory, and McCarthy gained 18 yards on a third-and-seven reception. Clouston finished the possession from the 2 with 5:31 left before halftime.

The Tigers’ defense protected that 14-0 advantage. Davis Kulka and Cole Montoya combined to stop a reverse for an 11-yard loss. Deegan McCage later recorded a third-down sack, forcing another Hays punt before halftime.

Moll supplied two catches on Bentonville’s opening possession of the second half. His first moved the Tigers into Hays territory on third-and-14. He later caught Canode’s 40-yard touchdown pass, making it 20-0 with 8:03 left in the third quarter.

Hays answered defensively when Braxton Basgall intercepted a deflected pass in the end zone. The Indians subsequently changed field position with Jace Dreher’s 61-yard punt. Lane Geist kept the ball from reaching the end zone, allowing Hays to down it at Bentonville’s 2.

After a short Tiger punt into the south wind, Hays drove for Dintino’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Archer Amrein on fourth-and-goal. Mason Zimmerman’s extra point made it 20-7 with 11:02 remaining.

Porter Fertig later pinned Hays at its 8, but Dintino immediately found Albers for 85 yards. Jeremiah Chavis made the touchdown-saving tackle at the 7. Following two penalties, Dintino hit Jaxon Prediger for 16 yards to the 1. Basgall scored, and Zimmerman’s kick cut the margin to six with 5:45 left.

Hays never regained possession. Schafer picked up a blitz before Canode escaped for the third-and-13 conversion. A facemask penalty supplied another first down, and Clouston converted second-and-three before the Tigers ended the game with two kneeldowns.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

10:14 — Bentonville: Aiden McCarthy 39-yard pass from Evan Canode (Blake Stroud kick), Bentonville 7-0.

2nd Quarter

5:31 — Bentonville: Nathan Clouston 2-yard run (Blake Stroud kick), Bentonville 14-0.

3rd Quarter

8:03 — Bentonville: Evan Moll 40-yard pass from Evan Canode (kick failed), Bentonville 20-0.

4th Quarter

11:02 — Hays: Archer Amrein 3-yard pass from Joey Dintino (Mason Zimmerman kick), Bentonville 20-7.
5:45 — Hays: Braxton Basgall 1-yard run (Mason Zimmerman kick), Bentonville 20-14.

Players Who Stood Out

Evan Canode, Bentonville: Two touchdown passes covering 39 and 40 yards; 14-yard scramble on third-and-13 during the possession that consumed the final 5:45.
Evan Moll, Bentonville: Caught a 40-yard touchdown pass and converted third-and-14 with a reception into Hays territory on the same drive.
Aiden McCarthy, Bentonville: Caught a tipped pass for a 39-yard touchdown; added an 18-yard reception on third-and-seven during Bentonville’s second scoring drive.
Brogan Albers, Hays: Three catches for 103 yards, including an 85-yard reception that set up the Indians’ final touchdown.
Braxton Basgall, Hays: Intercepted a pass in the end zone and scored on a 1-yard run that helped bring Hays within six points.