Toward the end of a scoreless first quarter, Emporia High faced a fourth-and-goal situation on the Hutchinson one-yard line, with a chance to take an early lead against the six-time defending state champions with about a minute to go in the first quarter.
The Salthawk defense stopped quarterback Brandon Gentz short of the goal line, setting off a sequence of events that put Hutchinson in control in a 33-7 win that eliminated the Spartans from the playoffs and propelled the Salthawks into the state semifinals. Emporia finished the 2010 season with a 7-4 record.
Hutchinson executed a 10-play, 99-yard touchdown drive when it got the ball after the turnover on downs. Quarterback Trevor Turner came up with a nine-yard run on the second play to get his team out from the shadow of the end zone.
Hutchinson fullback Ben Heeney broke what could have been an 88-yard touchdown run until Jerel Morrow made a touchdown-saving tackle at the Emporia 32-yard line. That only delayed the score. The drive ended on a Ja'mon Cotton touchdown run that put the Salthawks ahead 7-0.
Emporia fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Hutchinson recovered at the Emporia 25-yard line. A seven-play touchdown drive ensued, this one ending on a one-yard touchdown run by Heeney that put Hutchinson ahead 14-0.
“They smell blood and they go in for the kill,” Emporia coach Dustin Delaney said. “And that’s what they always do and that’s why they’re the six-time defending state champions.”
Heeney turned out to be the driving force in Hutchinson’s win. He ran the ball 33 times for 193 yards and four touchdowns. As a team, Hutchinson had 292 total yards of offense, all on the ground.
“He’s the best player in the state,” Delaney said. “He’s a great kid, too. I’m happy for the success he’s had, I wish he wouldn’t have had it against us. But he’s a very, very good player and a special kid.”
Both teams didn't score on their next possessions. Emporia was then forced to punt with 47 seconds to go in the half, and Deshawn Dinwiddie returned the punt to the Emporia seven-yard line. Heeney scored on a four-yard touchdown run before the half expired to take the Salthawks in with a 20-0 lead.
The Salthawks maintained their control in the second half. Emporia elected to receive the ball after the opening coin toss, so Hutchinson got it to start the second half. The Salthawks came up with a five-play touchdown drive that ended with a one-yard run by Heeney.
“They just make big play after big play,” Delaney said. “They’re so well-coached. They’ve got big-time players and they got it done tonight.”
Hutchinson forced a three-and-out on Emporia’s next possession. Heeney then capped off another quick drive with a score to give his team a 33-0 lead. Emporia went three-and-out again, and Hutchinson began to run the clock. The Salthawks’ 14-play drive resulted in no points but took 7:49 off the clock. When Emporia got the ball back, it had 9:34 remaining in the game.
The Spartans’ score came with 27.6 seconds remaining in the game on a one-yard run by fullback Derek Gifford.
Although Gifford had Emporia’s only score, Gentz was the Spartans’ leading rusher, going for 110 yards on 19 carries. Gifford had 72 yards on 18 carries. Gentz threw the ball six times, completing two passes. Both went to Cody Lindquist, who had 21 yards receiving.
Bishop Carroll beat McPherson 30-22 Friday, so Hutchinson will play Bishop Carroll in the state semifinals. Blue Valley and Gardner-Edgerton will play in the other Class 5A semifinal.
Friday at Emporia
Hutchinson 0 20 13 0 — 33
Emporia 0 0 0 7 — 7
Second quarter
HUT — Cotton 5 run (Hirt kick)
HUT — Heeney 1 run (Hirt kick)
HUT — Heeney 4 run (kick failed)
Third quarter
HUT — Heeney 1 run (Hirt kick)
HUT — Heeney 12 run (kick failed)
Fourth quarter
EMP — Gifford 1 run (Hrabik kick)
GAME STATISTICS
HUT EMP
First downs 15 10
Rushes-yards 53-292 42-203
Comp.-Att.-Int. 0-1-1 2-6-0
Passing yards 0 21
Total yards 292 224
Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-1
Penalties-yards 1-10 3-14
Punts.-Avg. 6-25.5 1-31
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — HUT: Turner 9-35, Cotton 5-15, Heeney 33-193, Stucky 3-41, Bowen 1-7, Munds 1-0, Luce 1-1. EMP: Gentz 19-110, Gifford 18-72, Keisler 2-8, Lindquist 2-6, Eichler 1-7.
Passing — HUT: Turner 0-1-1, 0 yards. EMP: Gentz 2-6-0, 21 yards.
Receiving — EMP: Lindquist 2-21.
cheese (anonymous) says...
Heeney is the best player in the state???? I think that player resides in Gardner!
November 15, 2010 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )