Tigers rebound with 30-20 road victory

A mark of a good team is the ability to rebound from a tough loss and to learn from the mistakes. Hutchinson was nearly perfect in their study of last week's performance in the season opener.

The Tigers won the turnover battle and held Northfield scoreless for the first 22 minutes of the second half as the Tigers beat the Raiders, 30-20.

The two teams played four scoreless quarters before Northfield won 7-6 in overtime a season ago. Hutchinson also won on the road in Northfield in 2005.

Senior tailback Cory Shufelt was the star Friday, rushing for 175 yards on 15 carries, including a 73-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage.

He also scampered for a 47-yard run in the second quarter that set up a two-yard dive by sophomore Jacob Brusehaver.

The fullback had 68 yards a week after compiling 124 in his first varsity action.

With a 20-13 lead at halftime courtesy of three scores - two from Brusehaver and one from Shufelt, the Tigers scored the third quarter's only points on a 21-yard field goal by Jeff Matthias.

Matthias, who Tigers coach Andy Rostberg said came up big on extra points and the field goal, converted three of four points after touchdowns.

The Tigers extended the lead to 17 in the fourth quarter on senior safety Ben Aalfs' second interception return for a touchdown, this time for 43 yards off Raiders' quarterback Blake Faust.

Northfield tacked on a touchdown late in the fourth quarter on a two-yard run by Cody Schmidt, who also scored the Raiders' second touchdown on a kickoff return.

Faust and wide receiver Jon Paulson hooked up on a seven-yard touchdown reception to tie the score at seven in the first quarter.

Danny Menton played the entire game at quarterback for the Tigers, completing three passes for 39 yards.

Brian Renkes also had 70 yards on 13 carries, inclduing numerous third and fourth down short siuations.

Eric's keys to the game:

*** First and foremost, the Tigers have to take care of the ball. Hutchinson turned the ball over six times in the week one loss to Glencoe-Silver Lake. The Tigers need to win the battle of the turnovers and not put their defense in large holes.

(Northfield 2, Hutchinson 0...one interception turned into a touchdown)

** Stop Cole Jirek. The Northfield defender had 13 tackles, seven sacks and one fumble recovery for a touchdown in a 21-7 win over Mankato West. The Tigers line will be tested by this guy.

(Jirek was everywhere as expected, but the Tiger tackles - Justin McKenzie and Michael Ortloff - did a excellent job containing him at times.)

* The Tigers biggest offensive weapon is Cory Shufelt on the outside — get him the ball in that position. He has home run ability every time he touches the ball.

(See second play of game - 15 carries for 175 yards)

Game notes:
* Senior captain Shea Corrigan was on crutches Friday night after getting hrt in practice this week. He is expected to miss at least a few weeks. Senior offensive tackle Cole Willard was also in street clothes.

* With both starting tackles on the sidelines, seniors Michael Ortloff and Justin McKenzie saw most of the action upfront. Lucas Doelger and Tim Schlueter also saw a few snaps.

* On defense, senior captain Brian Albrecht moved from defensive end to a down lineman, filling in for the injured Corrigan in the 6-2 defensive format. Juniors Ryan Madson and Adam Katzenmeyer saw extensive playing time in the end position.

Junior Erik Bute also took at middle linebacker next to Renkes, while Brusehaver filled in for Jack Daggett at the other end on third downs.

* Bute also recorded an interception in the game.

Hutchinson (1-1) hosts Farmington at 7:15 p.m. Thursday night. The game will be televised live on FSN North.