Four Hayfield turnovers sealed the Vikings' fate in a 10-7 cross-conference loss at Zumbrota-Mazeppa Friday night.

Hayfield lost three of four fumbles, two of which set up both Z-M scores. The host Cougars cashed in with the game's first score at the 4:12 mark of the second quarter as quarterback Justin Legosh kept an option run over the right side for the touchdown.

Derek Ramthun added a 22-yard field goal with three seconds left in the first half, and Hayfield would only be able to counter with one touchdown in the second stanza.

"We had that story way too many times last year," Hayfield coach Vince Reynolds said of his team's turnovers. "I'm getting sick of it.

"Both of their scores came off turnovers. We turned the ball over on 40 percent of our possessions, and you can't win games like that, especially in the HVL."

Hayfield dipped to 0-2 overall against Gold Division teams of the Hiawatha Valley League. Zumbrota-Mazeppa moves to 2-0 against the Blue Division.

The Vikings outgained the Cougars 241-160 in total offense, but Z-M did not commit a turnover. In addition to three lost fumbles, Hayfield also threw one interception.

Half of the Vikings yardage came through the air as quarterback Scott Thompson was 9-of-18 for 119 yards. He also rushed for Hayfield's only touchdown, scoring on a 5-yard keeper midway through the third quarter. George Evjen's extra-point kick brought Hayfield to within a field goal, but that would be it.

Hayfield threatened twice in the waning moments of the game, but the Vikings could not get leading receiver Cody Hegna enough room. Hegna had four receptions for 60 yards in the 10-7 loss.

Blake Swanson, who led Hayfield rushing with 15 carries and 70 yards, also made four grabs for 41 yards.

Ben Sand rushed for 101 of Zumbrota-Mazeppa's 160 yards of total offense.

"They had maybe 30 yards of offense in the entire second half," Coach Reynolds said. "I think we did a good job of stopping them. We had a couple shots at the end zone, we just couldn't get it in."

After stopping a Zumbrota-Mazeppa drive inside the red zone in the first half, Hayfield mounted its own drive for 90 yards but fell flat near their own end zone.

Hayfield travels to Lake City -- the top-rated team in Class AAA -- for their final cross-conference game Friday night.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :sports@austindailyherald.com.