The Hutchinson High School Salthawks (3-1), coming off three straight shutouts for the first time in program history since 1946, will face their biggest test of the season next Friday at home.
The Salthawks will play Derby, Kansas Class 6A’s No. 1 football team, at 7 p.m. at Gowans Stadium. It will be Hutchinson’s Homecoming game.
Derby defeated Maize 59-7 Friday night. The Panthers have outscored their first four opponents 235-21.
Derby defeated Hays 40-7 on Sept. 6, Haysville-Campus 77-0 on Sept. 13 and Salina South 59-7 on Sept. 20.
The Salthawks shut out Salina South 47-0 Thursday at Salina District Stadium. Hutchinson, after losing 37-7 to Andover Central on Sept. 6, also blanked Valley Center 13-0 on Sept. 13 and Maize 21-0 on Sept. 20.
Hutchinson has outscored its opponents 88-37, has a 69-39 edge in first downs, has out-rushed teams 1105-195 and leads in total yardage 1282-604 and total plays 218-171.
The Salthawks have 409 yards passing and have thrown for just 177.
Hutchinson is led in rushing by senior fullback Kade Smith who has 843 yards on 109 carries with 7 touchdowns.
Smith ran for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns on 21 carries against Salina South Friday, including scores of 1, 63 and 47 yards and a non-touchdown burst of 76 yards.
Terrell King rushed for 82 yards against Salina South and has 142 for the season. Jeremyah Gaitho Karanu ran for 46 yards and 2 touchdowns against Salina South and has 72 yards rushing for the season.
Senior quarterback Levi Kepler has completed 12-of-33 passes in four games for 177 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
Mitchell Rice has 4 catches for 41 yards, Karmelo Green has 3 catches for 67 yards, Taishaun Williams has 3 catches for 49 yards with 1 touchdown, King has 1 catch for 18 yards and Smith has 1 catch for 2 yards.
Senior kicker Taysen Runyon has made 10-of-13 extra points and is 0-for-3 in field goal attempts. Smith has punted 7 times for 233 yards, including a 49-yard punt.
The Salthawks’ defense had 7 sacks and 3 interceptions against the Salina South Cougars. Kevin Wilson had 2.5 sacks. Carter Morgan had 1.5 sacks and returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown.