HAYTI, Mo. -- For the first time since 2007, Hayti won the district championship.
Avenging their demons against district stalwart Valle Catholic, the Indians defeated the Warriors 28-7 Friday at Hayti.
Winners of the last 10 district championship games, Valle Catholic has had Hayti's number -- beating the Indians five times to advance to the state playoffs.
The Indians, though, were able to change the page.
After a controversial play in the first quarter, which ended in a roughing the passer call being overturned, the Indians scored on the ensuing play. Chrivontae Moore completed a backwards pass to Nakwon Harris -- who used his speed to his advantage -- racing down the field for a 57 yard score.
Senior standout Ivory Winters led the way for the Indians run game, carrying the football 29 times for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, Hayti had 362 rushing yards.
Winters scored his first touchdown in the second quarter, after the Indians worked their way down the 1-yard line to end the first quarter. Winters' score made it 12-0 Indians, at the time, after the ensuing two-point conversion failed.
On Winters second score, the Indiana commit broke loose, getting to the near side of the field and scoring from 42 yards out. The score sealed the deal for Hayti, making it to 28-7, after Winters added a two-point conversion.
Getting over the hump was what Hayti head coach Dominique Robinson eluded to after the game.
"We played a good game, we played disciplined, we didn't make many mistakes," Robinson said. "That's a great team we just faced man, one of the best teams in the state of Missouri, so I tip my hat off to them and I respect them as an opponent. I take them very seriously, never lightly. That's a good team, well-coached. We just came out and played and we did what we were supposed to do."
Valle Catholic struggled to get the ball rolling early, as Hayti's defense rose to the occasion.
The Indians allowed 211 total offensive yards, shutting down the run game, and make the Warriors a one-dimensional team. Hayti allowed -24 rushing yards to 230 passing yards.
Adding on, Hayti also picked off Valle Catholic quarterback Chase Dunlap three times, adding to a total of six Warrior turnovers. Chrivontae Moore, Damorri Reed, and Jason Weatherspoon had the Indian interceptions.
Weatherspoon's interception put the stamp on the game, leading to Hayti to go into victory formation.
"That's the best defense we've faced all year, we face them in practice every day," Robinson said. "I knew what they were going to do and they did what they were supposed to do -- limit them."
Valle Catholic (9-3) is one of the most-respected football programs in the state, winning 14 state championships, with their last coming in 2015.
Hayti (12-0) travels to Thayer High School next Saturday, in the Class 1 sectionals. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.