A rare, forgettable season of Hays Rebels is in the books with their 45-14 loss to Huntsville in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs Saturday. The Rebels finished 4-7, their first losing season since 1985.

The Hays Rebels handled the Lehman Lobos, 27-7 Friday night in the regular season finale for both high school football teams. The Rebels go to the playoffs next Saturday against Huntsville, while Lehman missed its bid for the playoffs.

The Hays Rebels not only missed their chance to win District 17-4A Friday night, but they also clinched their first regular season with a losing record since 1985. The Rebels lost, 27-21, in overtime at Del Valle, which clinched its first district championship since 1967.

The Hays Rebels go to Del Valle Friday night with the winner in line to clinch the District 17-4A high school football championship. Hays has won the last two meetings with Del Valle, each time under improbable circumstances.

The Hays Rebels clinched a high school football playoff berth Friday night, while Lehman looked just about ready. Meanwhile, Wimberley lost a close game at Liberty Hill, Dripping Springs lost for the seventh straight time and the San Marcos Baptist Academy ended a three-game losing streak.

San Marcos came within one two-point conversion of pulling off an improbable win Friday night at Alamo Heights. Also, Hays improved to 2-0 in District 17-4A, while Dripping Springs and San Marcos Baptist Academy ran their losing streaks to six and three games, respectively.

The Hays Rebels will try for their second win in a row Friday night at Lockhart. After starting the season with five straight losses, a win Friday would make Hays 2-0 in District 17-4A. Also Friday night, Dripping Springs will try to break a five-game losing streak against Lampasas, the San Marcos Baptist Academy will play Victoria St. Joseph, and Wimberley is taking a bye week.

One would have to go back many pages in record book time to find the last time the Hays Rebels started a high school football season at 0-4. But a 40-35 loss to McCallum at House Park Friday night put the Rebels in exactly that position.

The Hays Rebels haven’t even played a game yet, and they already need a win badly. They’ll have their first chance Friday night at Bob Shelton Stadium against Bastrop.