🏈🎥 Hutch High uses ground game to shut out Emporia, advances to rematch with Hays

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 4 seed Hutchinson Salthawks made sure Halloween night belonged to them, shutting out the Emporia Spartans 34-0 in a dominant Class 5A West first-round playoff victory Friday at Gowans Stadium.

Dual-threat quarterback Robert Hunter led the charge, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more as Hutchinson rolled up 237 yards on the ground and 95 through the air. The win moves the Salthawks to 7-2 on the season and sets up a rematch with No. 5 Hays in next week’s regional round — a year after Hays ended Hutch’s playoff run in 2024.

Hutchinson wasted no time getting on the board. After Karmelo Green ripped off a 58-yard run on the Salthawk opening possession, Hunter capped the drive with a 1-yard scamper to the pylon just 1:26 into the game.

Green had 136 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown.

The passing game came alive in the second quarter when Larry Jeremiah Jr. hauled in a 27-yard touchdown pass — Hutchinson’s first completion of the night — to extend the lead. Hunter later connected again through the air and added another rushing score to keep the Spartans at bay.

Lamar Govain added a highlight in the third quarter, breaking free for a 28-yard touchdown — his ninth score of the season — as Hutchinson’s offense continued to deliver explosive plays.

Emporia’s trademark flexbone veer offense was able to sustain long drives, converting on four of seven fourth-down attempts and holding the ball for 32:05 of game time compared to Hutchinson’s 15:55. But despite their ball control, the Spartans couldn’t break through against a stingy Salthawk defense that pitched its second shutout of the year.

Next up for Hutchinson is a showdown with Hays (7-2), which defeated Goddard Eisenhower 49-30 Thursday night. Hays brings in an impressive résumé that includes early-season wins over Derby and Choctaw (OK), and is led by head coach Tony Crough, who returns to Gowans Stadium after coaching with Hutchinson Community College over eight years ago.

Kickoff for next Friday’s regional matchup is set for 7 p.m. at Gowans Stadium. Fans can catch all the action on KWBW Radio. 1450am/98.5fm and on HutchPost.com, beginning with the Kansas Kickoff Show at 6 p.m., followed by the Papa John’s Salthawk Pregame Show at 6:30.