Hutchinson Salthawks will learn from mistakes following loss to No. 5 Maize – The Hutchinson News

MAIZE The Hutchinson Salthawks were still in a good position trailing the Maize Eagles21-14 with under 30 seconds to go in the first half, but a costly fumble turned into a one-play score for Maize quarterback Avery Johnson and company to make it a two-possession game at the break.

A turnover-on-downs on the opening drive to begin the second half for Hutchinson was the penultimate as the No. 5 Maize Eagles (6-2) toppled the Hutchinson Salthawks (4-4) 42-14 Friday at the W.T. Johnson Sports Complex in Maize.

But whatever identity the Salthawks had in the first half, they would have liked to have that the whole game had the turnover at the end of the first half not occurred.

"Probably got a little too aggressive there," Hutchinson High head coach Mike Vernon said. "Probably just needed to take it into the half and get the ball in the second half. So, we went down two scores, and then after that, we were really scrambling."

The 11th seed Salthawks will play Bishop Carroll in the first round of the playoffs Friday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. Carroll is the sixth seed and the top team in the bracket, making them the host team. KSHSAA released the Class 6A playoff brackets late Friday night.

More: Final scores for high school football in the Reno County area, Oct. 22

Last season, the Salthawks beat the Eagles 32-28. This year, Maize had the dirty taste in its mouth from that game and last week's one-point loss to the top-ranked Derby to fuel Friday's win.

The Salthawks were shut out in the second half and outscored 28-0 from 29 seconds to go in the first half to the finish. Despite the win by the fifth-best team in 5A, here are some takeaways that the Salthawks can use heading into the postseason.

Since the changes on offense three weeks ago, the Salthawks have spread the ball around a lot more than they have all season. Moving junior Noah Khokhar from quarterback to receiver has relished the receiving totals and chances for the Salthawks to score, which has happened with junior Nic Lange stepping in at the helm.

With Vernon opening up the pass game, the run game has been able to convert. Something that the Salthawks struggled in their scrimmage back in August, they have now found the endzone more often, including a quarterback sneak for a one-yard touchdown by Lange to even the scoring early against Maize.

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Also, the defense has played well at times. With an exception to Maize's Avery Johnson's arm, the defense has made stops on third and fourth down and has come up with takeaways as well. Against Haysville-Campus, the Salthawks came up with a fumble recovery and interception to seal and second-half comeback.

The Salthawks will look to carry those positives into next Friday's game against another top team in Class 5A.

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Hutchinson Salthawks will learn from mistakes following loss to No. 5 Maize - The Hutchinson News