ANTHONY GORGES
Hutch Post
HAYSVILLE, Kan. — Offense, defense and special teams all scored points in a 43-13 blowout win for the Hutchinson Salthawks on Friday night at Haysville-Campus High School.
The Hutchinson offense marched right down the field on the opening drive, and junior quarterback Davin Morgan scrambled for a 20-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point was blocked, and Hutchinson led 6-0.
Then came the first non-offensive touchdown of the season. Senior defensive back Cooper Harris read the quarterback's eyes, jumped the route and returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, and Hutchinson led 12-0 four minutes into the game.
Haysville quickly responded with a 69-yard scoring drive, cutting the lead to 12-7.
Hutchinson's offense was clicking, and the Salthawks punched in two more touchdowns in the first half, both on passes from Morgan to senior wide receiver Lamar Govain.
The first came on fourth-and-10. The ball was tipped twice before landing in Govain's arms in the back of the end zone. The second was a quick slant that Govain caught and took 33 yards for a touchdown.
The Salthawks added a 34-yard field goal by kicker Tate England and led the Campus Colts 29-13 at halftime.
The second half started with a bang, as freshman cornerback Kendrick Green intercepted a pass and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown.
The Salthawks scored once more in the game's final play, as senior Brodie McCuan took a snap out of the "Wildcat" formation and ran it in for a touchdown.
The game was called with 11:10 remaining in the fourth quarter due to lightning and severe weather moving into the area.
Hutchinson won 43-13, earning its first win of the season and the first victory of head coach Luke Berblinger's career.
"The guys were super excited, and winning certainly feels good," Berblinger said. "It validates a lot of what we've been talking about, so that's what I'm proud to see."
The Colts responded early in the game, but the Salthawks quickly answered to shut down any momentum for Campus. Berblinger was proud of his team's response.
"I think the maturity across the board tonight was a lot better," Berblinger said. "I'm really proud of our guys."
Hutchinson improves to 1-3 on the season and hosts Maize (3-1) next Friday at Gowans Stadium for homecoming.