Dodge City Falls in Hutch 72-34
Hutchinson, KS (westernkansasnews.com) The Dodge City defense knew they were in for a challenge before Friday night’s district game against Hutchinson. Unfortunately the challenge was just too great to overcome.
Game Highlights
Hutch piled up 700 yards of total offense all but 76 of it on the ground as the Salthawks kept their playoff hopes alive with a 72-34 win over Dodge City. The Red Demons need a win next week in Garden and a Wichita Northwest win over Hutch. Even with all that Dodge City may still not compile enough in a three way tiebreaker determined by point deferential to earn the second and final playoff berth in the four team district.
It started out well enough for Dodge City, scoring four minutes in on a one yard quarterback sneak from Caden Walters to take a 7-0 lead. On the opening drive, Dodge City converted three times on fourth down including two Hutch offside penalties to continue drives.
Hutch had the magic touch on the night. A week after being denied the end zone in a 14-2 loss at Garden City, the Salthawks scored on 12 of their 13 possessions. They even utilized a fake punt late in the first half on a direct snap to Brody Smith for a 47 yard touchdown making it 37-14. Hutch also gambled recovering two onside kicks in the first half tiring out Dodge City’s defense.
On a brighter note, Tyler Trent’s 14 rushes for 98 yards gave him 1,021 for the year establishing him as the Red Demons 1st 1,000 running back since 2005. Caden Walters also went 28-49 and 308 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Walter performance gives him more than 2,000 for the season. Dodge kept the ball moving in the second half and found a solid tempo with touchdowns passes to Bryce Unruh of 10 yards, Dayton McGroarty of 68 yards and Eric Reid of 13 yards.
Hutch’s rushing attack was led by Brody Smith who carried the ball 27 times for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns, Rubin Benitez rushed a dozen times for 117 yards. In the loss, Dodge City gave up their most points in Dave Foster’s six years as head coach.
Dodge City will have their final regular season game on the road at Garden City looking for their first win in the Hatchet game since 2012. The winner also seals up the WAC title.
