ANTHONY GORGES
Hutch Post
ANDOVER, Kan. — The Hutchinson Salthawks pushed No. 1 Andover to the limit Friday night in a regional playoff game, but the Trojans held on for a 10-7 victory in a defensive battle.
The defenses dictated the pace throughout the second-round playoff matchup, with both teams making it difficult to move the football.
Hutchinson won the coin toss and elected to receive to start the game. The Salthawks used running back Brodie McCuan to move the ball inside the red zone, but Andover’s defense settled in. The Trojans sacked Hutchinson quarterback Davin Morgan, pushing the Salthawks out of field goal range. Hutchinson’s fourth-and-long attempt fell incomplete, giving the ball to Andover on downs.
The Trojans went three-and-out on their opening possession.
Hutchinson took over with excellent field position at the Andover 49-yard line. The Salthawks attempted a trick play, using a halfback pass on first down, but the throw was intercepted by Andover.
Both defenses continued to stand their ground, resulting in several punts as neither team could generate much offensive momentum.
With just more than three minutes remaining in the first half, Andover got the ball back and moved into scoring position. The run-heavy flexbone offense completed a pass inside the 10-yard line, but Hutchinson's defense kept the Trojans out of the end zone. Andover's Pete Vega converted a 31-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Trojans a 3-0 lead at halftime.
The defensive battle continued in the third quarter.
Following a short punt late in the quarter, Hutchinson took over at the Andover 43-yard line. The Salthawks handed the ball to McCuan on four consecutive plays, gaining 9 1/2 yards before Andover's defense stopped them short on fourth-and-1.
Andover responded with a 15-play drive, capped by a 6-yard rushing touchdown from senior quarterback Will Quinn. The score extended the Trojans' lead to 10-0 with 8:27 remaining in the game.
Hutchinson wasn't ready to go home.
The Salthawks answered with a three-play scoring drive, highlighted by a 43-yard touchdown connection between Morgan and senior wide receiver Lamar Govain. The touchdown catch was Govain's ninth of the season, matching his total from last year.
Hutchinson cut the deficit to 10-7 with 7:35 remaining.
The Salthawk defense came up with another stop, giving Hutchinson the ball back with approximately five minutes remaining. The Salthawks picked up a first down near midfield. Then, a holding penalty negated a big run by McCuan.
Unable to overcome the penalty, Hutchinson faced fourth-and-15. Morgan attempted a Hail Mary pass, but Andover intercepted the ball at its own 14-yard line.
The Trojans ran out the clock to secure the 10-7 victory and eliminate the Salthawks from the playoffs.
Hutchinson finishes the season 4-6 in the first year of the Luke Berblinger era. The Salthawks had won three consecutive games entering Friday's matchup.
"Our defense played lights out tonight," Hutchinson high school head football coach Luke Berblinger said. "I think my guys and this team played really hard and I couldn't be more proud of them."
Berblinger is appreciative of the support he and the team has received throughout his first year as head coach. "Community has been awesome," he said. "Happy to be here and to be a part of this community."
Andover improves to 10-0 and will host No. 4 Bishop Carroll next Friday in the sectional round of the playoffs.