Becker beat Hutchinson by two points a year ago. Why would it be any different in 2023?
Unless it could be even closer. Becker held on for a one-point victory, 21-20, Friday in a weather-delayed matchup of Class 4A powers in Becker. The game was delayed 45 minutes because of lightning.
The Bulldogs (5-0) are ranked No. 1, the Tigers (3-2) No. 6 in the state rankings. Three of the past five games between the two programs have been decided by three points or fewer.
Hutchinson got on the scoreboard first on senior Charlie Renner's 6-yard run in the first quarter. The two-point conversion pass failed.
Becker scored 21 consecutive points in the second and third quarters, opening a 21-6 lead. Senior quarterback Zachary Bengtson threw two touchdown passes and ran for the third TD.
The Tigers made it interesting with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but another failed two-point conversion attempt on a run proved costly.
In other games Friday:
Mahtomedi 55, Tartan 7: The Zephyrs (3-2) accumulated 453 yards on the ground in running over the Titans (1-4). Senior running back Alec Mahoney led the charge, rushing for 133 yards on eight carries and four touchdowns, all in the first half. He scored on runs of 7, 11, 21 and 65 yards as Mahtomedi raced to a 48-0 lead at halftime.