By Brad Hallier
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Hutchinson Salthawks used a punishing ground attack Friday and overcame a sluggish start in beating Maize 36-17 on Friday at Gowans Stadium.
The Salthawks rushed for 327 yards, led by Kade Smith’s 130 yards and two touchdowns. Terrell King added 86 yards rushing, while Zion Burgess had 76 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Maize, however, had a good start, leading 7-0 after one quarter. But then came an explosive second quarter. Smith had touchdown runs of 2 and 36 yards 81 seconds apart, giving Hutchinson the lead for good.
Burgess added a second-quarter touchdown run, but Maize hung in there with a late touchdown, as the Salthawks led 21-17 at halftime.
The Salthawk defense posted a second-half shutout, and Burgess and Devon Spiller scored fourth-quarter touchdowns, as the Salthawks improved to 5-2 and moved up to No. 6 in the Class 5A West District standings heading to the regular-season finale at winless Andover. A win will lock up a first-round home playoff game, and the Salthawks are in the mix for a top-four finish, which guarantees two home games.
