The Junction City Blue Jays outlasted the Hays Indians 56-31 Friday night at Al Simpler Stadium in the 2018 football opener for both teams.

The Indians jumped on top 7-0 on their opening series with quarterback Palmer Hutchison scoring on a three yard touchdown run. But Junction City answered on their first series with the football as they drove down the field with Christopher Randolph scoring on a one-yard touchdown run with 5:07 remaining in the first quarter. At halftime it was 21-17 in favor of the Blue Jays.

A key sequence in the game occurred when the Indians drove to the Blue Jay one-yard line but fumbled. Junction City recovered the football and on their next possession scored on another one-yard run by Randolph.

During the contest Russell Wilkey scored on a 59-yard touchdown run for Junction City while Blue Jay quarterback Rooster Adams threw two touchdown passes and and ran for another score.

Junction City will play at Washburn Rural next Friday while Hays will host Great Bend.