Hutchinson looks to reload

The Salthawks reload for another state championship run

Coach: Randy Dreiling (124-27 entering 14th season at Hutchinson, 149-66 overall)

2009 Recap: Won the 5A State Championship as well as district and league titles with a 13-0 record.

Returning Starters: Offense 1, Defense 4

Returning Lettermen: 35

2010 Outlook:

Offense:
Hutchinson will have to replace every skill position player and offensive linemen except for slot running back Hunter Stuckey. The thunder and lightning running game of Josh Smith and Deveon Dinwiddie is gone, but that does not mean anything should change on the offensive side of the ball in philosophy.

“We lost a great group and we have a lot of unknowns,” Dreiling said. “We feel like we’ve got some players that can more than step up.”

Stucky and Deshawn Dinwiddie are two of those players. Stucky will lead the way as he was second-team all-league last season thanks to his 19 carries for 252 yards. Dinwiddie will also be back in the backfield for the Salthawks. Those two will be the focal point of Hutchinson’s flexbone option offense.

Defense:
Defense will be important for the Salthawks while the offense tries to hit its stride.

“Everbody thinks it is going be a down year from the outside,” Dreiling said. “For our guys the expectations simply don’t change. This year’s seniors in particular have a chip on their shoulders to think that this year could be the year we dethrone Hutch. I think that is going to be the thing that carries them and motivates them.”

Most of those seniors with experience are on a defense that is led by Ben Heeney at strong safety.

Heeney was first-team all-league at defensive back last season. He logged 83 tackles with three interceptions and six pass break ups.
Jermaine Bishop will join Heeney as a returning starter in the secondary at cornerback. Bishop had 47 total tackles last season with 11 pass breakups and two interceptions.
Matt Galliart will anchor the linebacking corp. He had 80 total tackles last season with four fumble recoveries and 4.5 sacks on his way to a second-league all-league selection.
The defensive line returns Dameitrik Morris at defensive tackle. He had 47 total tackles with three fumbles caused and 2.5 sacks.

Odds and Ends:
Hutchinson has a 22-game winning streak…The Salthawks have been to seven consecutive title games and won six of them…Rockhurst travels to Hutchinson to open the season. The Salthawks beat Rockhurst 55-27 last season, but Dreiling does not expect the same result this year.

“Rockhurst is a tremendously proud program and coach (Tony) Severino has been there forever and he is going to have his kids ready to play this year.”

The Salthawks have a new district that includes another 5A favorite in Bishop Carroll. The two will likely be playing for a district title when they meet in the final week of the year at Bishop Carroll.