Hutchinson ran for 341 yards on 43 carries Friday, and the Salthawks’ strong ground game led to a comfortable 47-28 win over Maize South at Gowans Stadium.
The win pushed the Salthawks’ record to 6-2, and they will be the No. 4 seed in the Class 4A West District.
Three Salthawks received at least 11 carries each, ran for at least 87 yards each, and scored at least one touchdown. Robert Hunter led the way with 158 yards on 15 carries and a score. Jeremyah Gaitho Karanu added 90 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, while Karmelo Green had 87 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns.
Hunter also threw a pair of touchdown passes, the first going to Gaitho Karanu from 22 yards out that opened the scoring midway through the first quarter.
The Salthawks then outscored Maize South 20-0 in the second quarter. Hunter had a 91-yard touchdown run, Gaitho Karanu scored from a yard out, and Green scored from 3 yards .
The Salthawks defense then got in on the action, as Kamron Wilson intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown, pushing the Salthawks’ lead to 34-0 early in the the third quarter.
Although Maize South passed for more than 300 yards, much of that came in the second half.
Hutchinson will welcome Emporia in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs next Friday at Gowans Stadium.
