Hutch rolls in the second half – wins going away

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In their first ten games this season, the Stewartville Tigers allowed a total of 55 points. If you take away last week's 46-22 victory in the section finals over Kasson Mantorville, the Tigers' defense had allowed 33 points in nine games. Long story short, Stewartville's defense was outstanding. Then they lined up against the Hutchinson Tigers' offense. Stewartville gave up more points in one game than they did all season. Hutch moved into the state semi-finals with a convincing 60-22 win on a windy and cold night at Lakeville South High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hutch offensive line – especially the right side of <strong>Hayden Smith</strong>, <strong>Bennet Neppl</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='242403' first='Anton' last='Kadlec']</strong>, and tight end <strong>Andrew Lipke</strong> took control of the game on the first drive. On third and short, running back <strong>AJ Ladwig</strong> found some room on the right behind Kadlec and Neppl. Later, on fourth and two, running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='112070' first='Levi' last='Teetzel']</strong> picked up the first down, again behind the right side. Already establishing a solid running game, Hutch went to the air off a play action pass. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='348683' first='Logan' last='Butler']</strong>, throwing across the field, found <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='348782' first='Charlie' last='Renner']</strong>, who broke a tackle and got down the sidelines for a fifty yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewartville would answer and take a 7-6 lead. The problem was they had to give the ball back to Hutch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some misdirection runs picked up a first down, and then Hutch went with some straight power up the middle for a Ladwig fifty yard touchdown run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Stewartville's next drive, Hutchinson's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='383730' first='Kyle' last='Schumann']</strong> read a screen on third down to force a Stewartville punt. After pounding the ball behind that offensive line, Hutch went up top again. Off a play action pass, Butler threw a great ball down the seam to Schumann for thirty yards. Two plays later, Teetzel gave Hutch a 22-7 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just when Hutch looked like they were going to run away with the game, Stewartville's <strong>Carter Miller</strong> took the kickoff up the Hutch sidelines for a 75 yard kickoff return touchdown. The extra point would make the score 22-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was as close as Stewartville would get.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both defenses would settle in for the rest of the first half, but Stewartville would threaten late in the half. They had a first and goal, but Butler stretched out a run and made a tackle for a short gain. Schumann then stuffed an inside run. Defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='19007' first='Logan' last='Hoppe']</strong> put pressure on the quarterback to force an incompletion and a field goal attempt. The field goal try came up short into a strong wind – keeping it an eight point game at the half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming out of the locker room, Hutch's Hoppe made two straight plays against the run to force Stewartville into a decision. Stewartville felt the need to roll the dice on fourth down, but the Hutchinson defense – as they would the entire second half – stood tall. The fourth down pass fell harmlessly to the ground giving Hutch excellent field position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line would flex its muscle with the field position. Neppl, Kadlec, and Lipke worked over the left side of the Stewartville defense. A penalty put Hutch into a first and twenty-five hole, but two runs – one to each side of the line - quickly ate up those twenty five yards. One play later, Teetzel was in the end zone, and the rout was on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a three and out, Hutch had great field position again. They would continue to wear down the Stewartville defense, and Ladwig would score his third touchdown. Stewartville would later score their third touchdown of the game, but three straight fourth quarter touchdowns – highlighted by a 74 yard Ladwig touchdown run and a late safety by Hutch would leave no doubt and send Hutch into the state semi-finals with a 60-22 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->