VALLEY CENTER, Kan. — Hutch High got a monster game from Alec McCuan who ran fur 149 on 25 carries and had two touchdowns to lead the Salthawks to a 21-13 win over Valley Center on Friday night.
Valley Center took the opening kick off and drove deep into Hutchinson's territory before settling for a 24 yard field goal to lead 3-0 with 3:31 to go in the first quarter.
The Hutchinson defense took over to stop Valley Center after the Hornets got a turnover by Hutchinson. Myles Thompson scored on an 18 yard TD run to give Hutchinson it's first lead midway through the 2nd quarter.
McCuan scored from 6 yards out with :27 sec remaining to be played in the 2nd quarter to give Hutchinson a 14-3 lead at the half.
The Salthawks extended their lead in the 3rd quarter off a McCuan 36 yard TD run to go up 21-3.
Valley Center fought back to score a safety on a botched punt in the 3rd quarter, then scored a TD and converted the 2 point extra point to pull within a touchdown and a 2 point conversion of being able to tie the game.
That's when McCuan took over getting key 1st downs and the defense stepped up with Carter Young falling on a loose football with just a little over a minute remaining and Hutchinson was able to put the game on ice and win their 1st game of the season, 21-13.
With the win, coach Mike Vernon is now 34-33 overall as a head coach. It was also the first opening season win for Hutch High in several years.
Hutchinson travels to Garden City next Friday night to take on the Buffaloes who fell to defeat at the hands of Manhattan 21-14 on Friday night.