🏈Berblinger ‘excited and ready’ for Salthawk debut on Friday Night

By Anthony Gorges

Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For Luke Berblinger, coming home to Hutchinson wasn’t necessarily something he had planned.

But when the opportunity to lead one of the state’s most storied high school football programs opened, he quickly became intrigued by the position.

Berblinger will make his debut as Hutchinson High School’s head football coach Friday night when the Salthawks host the Andover Trojans at Gowans Stadium.

The move brings Berblinger back to the area where his football career began. A Buhler High School graduate, Berblinger went on to play at Emporia State before beginning his coaching career. He spent the past seven years coaching at Southeast Missouri State.

Berblinger and his wife, Baylee, have a two-year-old daughter, and being closer to family was certainly something they both wanted.

“Family was something we were trying to get back to,” Berblinger said.

When the Hutchinson job became available, Berblinger said he immediately felt something different about the opportunity.

“It was definitely a God thing when this job opened up,” he said. “I hadn’t really thought about high school football, but I saw it and was like, ‘Hey, I’m really, really interested.’ So, you know, I got to credit the timing for God. But yeah, excited to be back.”

The opportunity was made even more appealing by the history attached to the Hutchinson program.

The Salthawks have won seven state championships, and Berblinger said he wasn’t looking to take just any high school coaching job.

“I mean, 100%,” Berblinger said when asked if Hutchinson’s tradition played a role in his decision. “I didn’t want to take just any high school job. This is a really good high school job with a bunch of tradition and success, and a town that cares about football. All those things make the job more enticing.”

There is also a deep family connection to Hutchinson High School.

Berblinger’s wife, Baylee, is a Hutch High graduate, as are her mother, father and grandfather. Her stepfather, Bryan Miller, is the Hutchinson High School boys basketball coach.

Baylee’s connection to the school has made the transition back to Hutchinson even more meaningful for the Berblinger family.

“My wife loves Hutch High more than anybody I know,” Berblinger said. “She’s super passionate about this school and is teaching at the high school as well.”

Now, after months of preparation in the weight room and on the field, the focus turns toward Friday night.

“It’s been awesome,” Berblinger said. “What we’ve been focusing on is being the best every single day. I’ve been harping on them about the weight room, classes, grades, all those things are important details.”

That attention to detail has extended onto the practice field.

“I think if you can practice at a high level, you can play at a high level,” Berblinger said. “Just making sure that we are ready for Friday night.”

On Friday night, Berblinger will make his debut as the head coach of the Salthawks under the lights at Gowans Stadium. After a strong crowd showed up for last week’s Blue and Gold scrimmage, he knows the atmosphere at Gowans can be a significant part of the experience.

“Energy from the crowd is what we feed off of,” Berblinger said. “This town is a football town. They are hungry for it and deserve it. We got to hold up our end of the bargain. I’d love to have everybody out there on Friday night.”

Andover will provide the opposition as the Trojans travel to Hutchinson for the season opener.

*Kickoff between Hutchinson and Andover is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Gowans Stadium. The kickoff time was pushed back 30 minutes due to extreme heat.

Our high school sports coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with our Friday Night Coaches Kickoff Show, followed by the Papa John’s pregame show at 7 p.m.

Our coaches show, pregame show, and the game can be heard on 1450 AM/98.5 FM KWBW Radio.