SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson High School senior Zion Burgess scored three rushing touchdowns, as the Salthawks cruised to a 50-7 win over the Newton Railers on Friday at Gowans Stadium.
Hutchinson (1-1) dominated the line of scrimmage with 346 yards on 46 plays (7.5 yds/play), while Newton (0-2) was held to negative-3 yards on 54 plays (negative-0.1 yds/play).
The Salthawks set the tone early and often, scoring first on a 7-yard touchdown scamper by sophomore quarterback Robert Hunter, capping off an 11-play 58-yard drive with 5:01 left in the opening quarter.
Burgess then found the end zone on a 7-yard run to extend the lead to 14-0 with 2:09 left in the first. Burgess scored again with 5:39 remaining in the half on a 15-yard score to punctuate a 6-play 73-yard scoring drive.
The Salthawks continued to pour it on with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Hunter to Kade Smith, a 56-yard Burgess rushing score, a 2-yard run from Jeremyah Gaitho-Karanu and 3-yard Skyler Graham run.
The lone Newton touchdown came against Hutchinson reserves, a 31-yard run from quarterback Colby Gomez.
Burgess finished with 11 carries for 117 yards, while Izaiya Davis went for four carries and 78 yards. Hunter was 7-for-9 passing for 31 yards and a score.
Hutchinson, which struggled offensively in week one at Goddard Eisenhower, went 5-for-5 in the red zone, all five touchdowns.
The Salthawks were led defensively by Kevin Wilson with eight tackles, while Carter Morgan added six, and Terrell King also finished with six.
The Salthawks will travel to Maize to face the Maize South Mavericks (2-0) next Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.