HUTCHINSON, Kan. —The best way to describe the 46-41 Salthawk win over Newton Friday night at Gowans Stadium is that Hutchinson survived.
Defensive Coordinator Scott Yantes earned his 200th win as a Salthawk assistant coach over a 24 year span. His defense stepped up to jump on three Newton fumbles, one for a Salthawk touchdown with 27 seconds to go in the 2nd quarter. Senior linebacker Jack Hawver found the loose football in the endzone to give Hutchinson a 21-17 lead at the half.
Senior running back Alec McCuan amassed 240 yards on 30 carries while scoring 3 touchdowns to lead the Hutchinson ground attack. With 58 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter Newton had taken the lead on a 22 yard field goal 29-28, but Hutch High's Treyton Peterson returned the Newton kick-off 79 yards to put Hutchinson back on top 34-29.
This game was a classic that included 11 lead changes the final coming on a McCuan 25 yard run with 6:43 to go in the contest.
Hutchinson (8-1) with it's best record in the past 4 years will host Wichita's Bishop Carroll Golden Eagles (5-2) at Gowans Stadium in Hutchinson next Friday night. Bishop Carroll received a forfeit win over Valley Center due to a COVID-19 breakout at Valley Center High.