Hutchinson grinds out victory over Rocori, wins Class 4A Prep Bowl

Nothing, whether a missed block or a blown defensive coverage, could deter Hutchinson's championship mission — especially after falling one game short a year ago.

Facing Rocori in Friday's Class 4A Prep Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium meant a low-scoring affair. Which meant opportunities achieved or missed loomed larger and increased the likelihood of disharmony among teammates. Hutchinson players, however, stayed in stride.

"Either you can stick together or you can turn against each other," senior quarterback Logan Butler said. "And we did have a little bit of a turning against each other. Tensions get high when big plays happen. But sticking together was mainly our biggest thing through this game."

And the Tigers stuck it to Rocori for a 14-6 victory in a physical game that Hutchinson coach Andy Rostberg described as brutal. Rocori senior Andy Pedroza said, "In a state championship game, it's whoever wants it more."

Hutchinson, which lost 11-0 to Rocori during the regular season, showed its desire throughout Friday's rematch. The Tigers ran 42 more plays, possessed the ball more than 20 minutes and converted eight of 17 third-down tries and three of six fourth-down situations.

Their winning drive lasted 15 plays, covered 66 yards and drained 8:51 off the clock. Charlie Renner's short touchdown run and Nathan Thode's two-point conversion produced a 14-6 lead with 5:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Thode disrupted the ensuing Rocori drive with an interception with 3:12 remaining.

More than just a senior-laden team, the Tigers boasted several players experiencing their third consecutive championship game. Last year, they fell to Simley.

"If you go back to every game throughout the last three years and you start listing all of those big games, holy buckets," Rostberg said.

Hutchinson (11-2) earned its seventh state championship. Rocori (10-3) was the 2019 Prep Bowl champion.

Like two battleships engaged in naval warfare of old, Hutchinson and Rocori blasted devastating broadsides at one another throughout. But the game wasn't entirely a slugfest. Rocori tied the game 6-6 on Will Steil's 67-yard pass to Caleb Maddox.

"Especially with what we had to go through last year, getting all the way here and losing — we were motivated," senior running back Carter Verhasselt said. "And we did it this year."