Hutchinson 1983: A season of perfection

Twenty-five years ago, Hutchinson claimed its first state football title in school history — a 36-14 win over Park Rapids for the Class A title at the Metrodome.

It was a team that finished with a perfect 13-0 record and outscored opponents 337-140.

When asked what he most remembered about the championship run, longtime coach Grady Rostberg responded with a single play from the second game of the year.

First a little history lesson.

Back in 1983, there was no playoff system. There was a 16-team state tournament with conference champions from all around the state.

With the score tied at 13 with seconds remaining in regulation against Shakopee, senior co-captain Paul Lenz shot through the line and blocked a potential game-winning extra point.

As Rostberg put it, if Lenz didn’t block it, we don’t win the conference championship and we don’t go to state and win a title.

After all these years, Lenz still remembers the play so vividly.

“They scored the touchdown because I missed a tackle. I mean, the guy was right there and I missed him. So I told the guys to get out of my way, I’m blocking this kick,” Lenz said. “That game was what turned it around that season.”

He did, and the Tigers eventually were victorious in overtime on a Andy Rostberg to Jon Valec touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion.

“Shakopee was our big rivals at the time. I remember we lost to them in 1981 on a fluke field goal and in 1982 it went to something like three overtimes before we won,” Lenz said.

To read more about the 1983 Tigers team, check out Tuesday's print edition on newsstands right now.

Eric Kraushar is the sports editor at the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sports@hutchinsonleader.com.