By Brad Hallier
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Hutchinson High was oh so close to beating Derby last season, which would have snapped a losing streak to the Salthawks’ rival that dates back to 2014.
The Salthawks had more first downs and more yardage than Derby in Friday’s eagerly-anticipated matchup at Gowans Stadium, but Derby’s strong first half was enough to carry the Panthers to a 27-17 win.
The loss dropped the Salthawks to 2-2 and snapped their two-game win streak.
Derby put the Salthawks in a massive hole early, scoring the game’s first 20 points, but Hutch gained a sliver of momentum at halftime with a safety late in the second quarter that cut Derby’s lead to 20-2.
When Robert Hunter scored on a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, and the two-point conversion was successful, the Salthawks trailed just 20-10. Derby, however, immediately answered with a touchdown pass from Braxton Clark to Da’saahn Brame.
Clark finished with two touchdown runs and two more touchdown passes.
Hutchinson wrapped up the scoring on a Hunter 19-yard touchdown run with three seconds left in the game.
The Salthawks finished with 19 first downs to 16 for Derby, and 271 yards of offense to 262 Derby.
The Salthawks will try to rebound next week against Salina South.
