Brian’s Best: Hutchinson vs. Stewartville
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Two of the best Class AAAA programs in the state met Thursday night on a bitterly cold night in Lakeville for a right to go to the state semifinals. The Hutchinson Tigers took control of the game late in the…
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Continue ReadingTwo of the best Class AAAA programs in the state met Thursday night on a bitterly cold night in Lakeville for a right to go to the state semifinals. The Hutchinson Tigers took control of the game late in the first half and opened up a huge lead in the second half to defeat Stewartville 60-22. Here are the players who shined despite the cold.
Hutchinson offensive line:
Kyle Schumann Kyle Schumann 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Hutchinson | 2023 State MN 6’2 2023, Logan Hoppe Logan Hoppe 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Hutchinson | 2023 State MN 6’4 2023, Dane Thovson 2023, Hayden Smith 2023, Bennet Neppl 2024, Anton Kadlec Anton Kadlec 6'3" | 315 lbs | OL Hutchinson | 2024 State MN 6’3 2024, Andrew Lipke TE 2024
Especially in the second half, the Hutch offensive line dominated the game. They wore down a tremendous front seven until the Hutch offense was ripping off four yard, five yard runs – and longer almost at will. Early on, Smith and Neppl open a hole in the middle for a first down. Neppl and Kadlec open a hole on fourth and two to keep a drive alive. Smith and Neppl were at it again opening a big hole for a run up the middle for another first down. Kadlec sealed the edge on a long touchdown run, while Smith and Thovson opened a big hole in the middle to pick up a third and long. Hoppe and Thovson opened a big hole in the red zone to get to the two. In the second half, Neppl, Kadlec, and Lipke caved in the defensive line, springing a twenty yard run. On a first and twenty five, Hoppe and Thovson caved in the line to spring a running back for a first down. Finally, Hoppe and Schumann sealed the edge for a forty yard gain.
AJ Ladwig
AJ Ladwig
Ladwig is tall and looks more like a wide receiver but has good feet and solid speed. He doesn’t look like the most physical back, but he has the strength to break tackles. He has good hands too. Early, he made a catch in the flat on a ball that was thrown low. His speed got him to the corner, but he only should have gained two yards. He broke a tackle and stayed in bounds for seven yards and a first down. Later, he ripped off another fifteen yard run around the corner. He showed his power when he broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage to pick up seven yards when it should have been for no gain. Finally, he made a cut at the line of scrimmage to pick up 40 yards. On defense, he made an excellent open field tackle, and later, he kept contain, allowing a teammate to make a tackle.
Like Ladwig, Teetzel is a tall running back with similar traits and is more physical than he looks. He made a tough run on fourth and short. Then, he picked up another first down run with a run up the middle for ten. Later, he should have been stopped for a loss but spun out of a tackle to pick up positive yardage. Finally, his speed to the corner for twenty yards showed how physical he could be with a run in the middle.
Highlights
The first big play of the game came with Renner. He made a catch and broke a tackle to get down the sidelines for a fifty yard touchdown. He showed his speed again to get the corner for fifteen yards on an end-around.
Butler made a strong throw from the opposite hash across the field for an eventual touchdown. On defense, he strung out a run to the outside and made the tackle for a short gain.
Highlights
Brady Anderson Brady Anderson 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Edina | 2023 State MN
Brady Anderson Brady Anderson 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Edina | 2023 State MN
Anderson read a quarterback draw for a short gain. Then, he stuffed another run near the line of scrimmage. He used his hands and footwork to work his way to the outside and made a tackle for loss.
Helder made a nice throw on the run for a first down. Then, the quarterback showed arm strength with a solid throw outside and again on another throw outside to convert on third down. He found a receiver down the seam. He has good footwork and moves well in the pocket. He scrambled for twenty yards.
Sikkink showed good speed down the sidelines off a screen. He added a great punt return for twenty yards. On another screen, he got down the sidelines for a first down. Later, he caught an out route on the sidelines for a first down. Then, he made multiple cuts to pick up positive yards on what should have been a negative play. Finally, he broke numerous tackles on another screen pass.
Hoppe made plays on both sides of the ball. He made a tackle on the inside for a short gain. Then, he stuffed a run on the goal line. In the passing game, his pressure on the quarterback forced an incompletion. Then, on back-to-back plays, he stuffed inside runs for short gains. He finished off his night with one more tackle near the line of scrimmage.
Highlights
Schumann read a screen for a short gain. Later, he stuffed a run on third and short. Then, he stuffed an inside run in the red zone. On offense, he caught a 30 yard pass down the seam.
John Becker
John Becker
Hutch did what they wanted on the ground, but Becker made a few plays to slow down the Hutch offense. He got off a block and made a tackle inside for a short gain. Then, he got good pressure on the quarterback, forcing an incompletion.
Pearce had great downfield coverage all night – not allowing any significant completions. On a short catch, he did allow; he came up strong and made an open field tackle for a minimal gain.
MJ Flores
MJ Flores
Flores also made an open field tackle that prevented a big gain. He had tight coverage most of the night – in one situation, his tight coverage forced an incompletion.