By Travis Mounts
TSnews
The Campus Colts could see their first victory of the season when Garrett Denning scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Colts a 17-14 third quarter lead over the visiting Hutchinson Salthawks last Friday, but in the end they suffered a 28-17 defeat after Hutchinson scored twice in the fourth quarter to retake the lead and win.
The Colts scored 10 unanswered points, starting with a 52-yard field goal by Aiden Hess in the second quarter that pulled the Colts to within 4 points of the Salthawks at halftime, 14-10.
Hutchinson regained the lead in the fourth quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass, going up 21-17 on the Colts. The touchdown was set up by a Campus fumble that gave the Salthawks good field position.
Campus’ next drive looked promising, but an interception killed the drive. The Salthawks then added an insurance touchdown off that turnover with 1:55 to play. It was their third score of the game off a Colts’ turnover, with the first one coming in the first half.
“We’ve made some improvements. Offensively, we continue to make strides. Derby and Hutch were a couple of defenses that were hard to move the ball on,” said Campus head coach Jamie Cruce. “We still did some good things. For the most part, we played good defense.”
The Colts felt good about a number of things in the game, but what they really want is a victory.
“Eventually, we won’t settle for moral victories,” Cruce said. “Nothing was easy. Hutch plays hard and is coached very well.”
Hess’ kick was likely a school record. It should have been an easier attempt, but the Colts were called for a 15-yard personal foul after the previous play, and that pushed them back to a fourth-and-23.
Cruce asked, “Can you make it?”
“Yeah, I can make it,” was Hess’ answer.
Hutchinson scored first in the game. The Colts’ tied the game at 7 on a 44-yard pass from Brody Johnson to Jaron Dodson in the first half. It was a double pass called “Rocket Toss.” Johnson got the ball to Derek Sheler, who threw a lateral back to Johnson. He then made the pass to Dodson.
Campus will try to pick up its first win of the season this Friday against the Newton Railers. Newton has won its past two games after starting the season 0-5. The Railers won 35-27 at home last week against Salina South.
The Railers have a balanced attack, and they like to run counter plays and quarterback sweeps. The Colts expect to see a 4-3 defense focused on stopping the run.
Campus will look to win on the offensive line of scrimmage and limit the turnovers that have killed drives in previous games. If they can do that, and get a few defensive stops, they’ll feel good about their chances this Friday.
