By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

Homecoming week can be a distraction.

Hays High School football coach Rick Blosser wants his players to have fun. At the same time, he wants them to be ready to play come Friday, when Wichita South comes to town. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Lewis Field Stadium.

"We've got to stay focused this week for the homecoming game," Blosser said. "At times (it's a distraction). It's a big week, a lot of activities going on.

"It's also a great week for the kids. It's a blast," Blosser added.

The Indians hope to have another fun time Friday against a struggling Wichita South squad that has lost three straight since winning its season opener. The Titans (1-3) lost 35-6 last week against Wichita East, with their only TD coming on an interception return.

"Come game time, we need to be focused, come practice time, be focused," Blosser said. "South's tradition isn't great. ... Athletically, they're going to be very good."

The Titans run a spread offense, so the Indian secondary could be busy.

"They like to throw the ball," Blosser said. "They throw the ball 80-90 percent of the time."

Hays High (3-1), coming off a 17-6 win at Garden City, is trying to balance out its veer offense.

"We've just got to keep getting better," Blosser said. "We didn't throw as much at Garden City.

"We've got to be able to run the ball," Blosser added.

Blosser said a win Friday would help his team heading into district action in three weeks.

"Each week, gaining momentum, staying focused," Blosser said. "Our kids have had a taste of success this year.

"We look at South being the biggest game of the year right now," Blosser added.