WACO – Basking in the glow of the setting sun Saturday, Hays High senior Luka Vilchis thanked and embraced head coach Les Goad as they prepared to exit an empty McLane Stadium.

The embrace was bittersweet. Hays understood the challenge they faced taking on the powerhouse Katy Tigers in Saturday’s 6A Division II state semifinal, the Rebels’ first trip to the fifth playoff round in 24 years.

Katy, winners of eight state titles in program history, showed that prowess with a 63-7 vi...