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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Hold Up
Central Kansas, KS
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By: Tom Witherspoon, VYPE Central Kansas
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Photo(s) By: Newman Lowrance
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In a game billed as Kansas vs. Missouri, the result between Hutchinson and Rockhurst offered more confusion and heartbreak than closure
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The program’s mounting win streak would have climbed to 37. Its deepening mystique would have expanded. Maybe next year they would have been slotted to appear on ESPN.
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Randy Dreiling said he felt empty afterward. Having yanked down the headset from his ears too many times to count throughout the game, in the closing minutes of Hutchinson’s Border War at Rockhurst he resigned himself to silence in the closing seconds. As the Salthawks’ nationally-ranked opponent burnt the final 2:38 off the clock with a secure 28-21 lead, Dreiling kept pursed lips, alternating final glances from scoreboard to field to ground below, retired from pleading his team’s case.
What if Hutch had won this battle of two neighboring states’ most touted champions? The win streak would have climbed to 37. The mystique would have deepened. A USA Today Super 25 national ranking? Moving above Rockhurst’s residence at No. 11 nationally? Maybe next year they would have been slotted to appear on ESPN.
Could Hutch have won? Long before the game’s final confusion, Hutch looked the superior squad.
Just 2:31 into the game, senior defensive back and slot back Treston Harris, who would be hounded on defense all night by Rockhurst wideout Keith Langtry, dropped a 25-yard pass downfield deep in Rockhurst territory – a ball first-year Hutch quarterback Todd Schultz put in his breadbasket. If he had not run it in for a touchdown after the catch, he likely would have set up Hutch’s frighteningly effective junior tandem of fullback Josh Smith and slot back Deveon Dinwiddie for a score from the 15- or 20-yard line.
Even so, two plays later on that opening series, Dinwiddie danced, spinned and pedalled for 20 yards into Rockhurst territory, only to have it reversed by a flag. A block in the back, it was called, foreshadowing other back-breaking calls to come, especially another fabulous weave by Dinwiddie through well-blocked defenders on a second-half punt return. Hutch would stand at the gates on nearly every offensive series, only to have big plays taken away.
The Hutch defense also showed early on its strength from a year ago, and maintained its standard. On the ensuing Hutch punt after Dinwiddie was denied, senior linebacker Nate Dreiling screamed down the pitch on special teams and popped off the Rockhurst return man’s helmet.
His graduated brother, Grant, whom Schultz replaced under center this fall, anxiously expelled on the sideline,“That’s my bro,” as if he were about to have convulsions. He needed to get it out. (Grant said he’d never felt so sick with anticipation before a game even when he was still playing.)
But Rockhurst’s All-American and Illinois-commit at quarterback, Nathan Scheelhaase, would prove himself to be the ridiculously talented player whom Hutch’s program has never had to depend on. After Dreiling’s punishing hit, it took Scheelhaase 1:06 to put Rockhurst on the board, finding Langtry 25 yards up the sideline on a heave before dunking one over the middle to his tight end for an untouched score.
At that time, all the hype seemed right. And in terms of Scheelhaase being great, it was indeed. But as far as Hutch being overmatched by the best team the state of Missouri has to offer, the pundits couldn’t have been more wrong. Hutch would allow one more quick strike by Scheelhaase but otherwise defended him as well as they did Logan Watkins last year at sub-state.
“We couldn’t handle their front six guys,” Rockhurst coach Tony Severino would say after the game. “It’s just that simple.”
But especially in the second half, Rockhurst linemen compensated by grasping at Hutch’s front six, though it drew little attention. Instead, Scheelhaase would benefit, power-prancing like an antelope to the outside to find Langtry sprinting straight upfield, or he’d just keep it on the bootleg for big yardage. His 291 yards passing and rushing made up all but six yards of Rockhurst’s total offense. Scheelhaase and the Rockhurst line played without checks.
Not that the Hutch offense was ineffective all night. After Scheelhaase’s quick three-play strike in the first quarter for the game’s first score, the Rockhurst defense played right into the teeth of Hutch’s triple option, just like every team in Kansas can’t stop doing. Dinwiddie bounced a run outside from the slot position and Smith loaded up tacklers and mauled his way for five to eight yards on each of two runs – causing Rockhurst to bite on the next play. Schultz faked to the fullback and slot and instead zeroed in over the middle on Tyler Heeney, who snuck behind the overcommitted Rockhurst defense for a 29-yard touchdown over the middle on the same ball Harris had dropped on the opening drive. (Schultz’ PAT was blocked.)
Then the Hutch defense showed itself monstrous. A minute and a half after the score, all-state Hutch defensive lineman Forrest Stucky pulled down a retreating Scheelhaase by his jersey with one arm – right in front of the Rockhurst sideline.
“Their defensive line and linebackers…I’m telling you that’s as good a football team as we’ve seen in five years,” Severino would continue.
Dinwiddie then returned the punt 25 yards and took a hand-off for 15 more before Schultz booted a field goal to give Hutch the lead 9-7 at the start of the second quarter.
After Hutch dealt out two punishing tackles behind the line of scrimmage, Rockhurst showed a sign of desperation. Scheelhaase rolled out and jacked a pass 40 yards downfield without a receiver within 20 yards, issuing complaints to the official on Hutch’s sideline. Rockhust stayed shaky and snapped a grounder to the punter, bounding it through the end zone for a safety. But Schultz’ missed field goal 3:22 later left Hutch’s lead at just 11-7. The nationally ranked team was back on its heals and, quite frankly, appeared overmatched.
On Rockhurst’s final drive of the half, they again appeared at a dead end with 4:13 to go. But then it got a little goofy. The official on the Hutch sideline blew the play dead for illegal procedure on Rockhurst. But at some point between the whistle and the final call, Hutch’s green yet physically imposing junior defensive end Geneo Grissom was flagged for a personal foul. He had continued the play after the whistle, swinging his arm around and hitting a Rockhurst lineman. The turn of events extended the Rockhurst series.
Scheelhaase then broke for 25 yards, before faking a hand-off out of the shotgun and running a naked boot-leg into the end zone, his forte, by which he would score Rockhurst’s next TD, too.
Despite their lack of fortune at this juncture (their luck would continue to dwindle), Dinwiddie remained on the loose, shoring up the Salthawks’ losses. He stole up the middle with 40 seconds left in the half, then cut outside for 40 yards, setting up another Schultz field goal to tie the score 14-14 at the break.
Who knows what Dreiling and his staff said in the locker room. They were prepared (they had begun breaking down Rockhurst’s game tape two weeks after their state title win over Olathe South in November 2007), and they looked to be executing the game plan (punishing defensive pursuit, slight containment of Scheelhaase, Smith’s power, Dinwiddie’s heroics, Schultz’ consistent passes over the middle). Hutch defensive coordinator Scott Yantes would even say after the game that he was proud of his and his players’ effort. “They did everything we asked them to do,” he said.
At the half, it was easy to think Hutch was right where they wanted to be. After all, in last November’s state title game, they scored 23 unanswered points in the second half after having been tied with Olathe South 14-14 at halftime.
Yet even after last year’s title romp and a bevy of players returning this fall, the four-time state champs were underdogs entering the game, especially after Rockhurst’s 42-14 dismantling of Blue Springs South (Mo.) on national television the previous week. And, yes, Scheelhaase had turned out to be the best player on the field. (Entering his senior season, Scheelhaase had already built a prep legacy for himself, becoming the first-ever junior to win the Simone Award, offered annually to Kansas City’s top prep player.) However, despite Scheelhaase, all the talk of Hutch finally being overmatched was wrong. Hutch more than belonged.
Dreiling’s rationale for scheduling the game was common knowledge going in. “As far as the state of Kansas is concerned, we're at or near the top. I don't mean to sound boisterous, but I think that would be pretty accurate,” Dreiling had told the Kansas City Star during game week. “But we don't know on a regional level. That's what we're hoping to find out.”
Dreiling certainly found out it’s hard to win at Rockhurst. In observation of his demeanor from halftime to the game’s final whistle, he started and ended with the same look on his face – exasperated.
As usual, he stood on the track as his players exited the locker room and re-took the field for the second half. His players on the jog, he didn’t pull any of them over for a conversation, but he did single out his son, Nate, junior offensive lineman Evan Wilder, junior linebacker Tyler Fee, senior Tyler Pickering, junior defensive lineman Justin Goetz and bullish junior fullback, Smith. He shook their hand and gave them a pat – which is as endearing as it gets with Dreiling.
His players did perform up to their capabilities in the second half – which made the final result, a loss by a touchdown, even more confusing than the halftime tie. After the game, all anybody could do was echo Dreiling, each channeling his own emptiness into a loss for words.
In the minute before the second-half kick-off, Dreiling negotiated with the near-side official that he needed to watch Rockhurst blocking in the back – a penalty he adamantly claimed they were missing.
Scheelhaase picked up where he left off. For the third time in the game, the Rockhurst staff again proved justified in its brazen confidence in Scheelhaase, asking him to sneak for yet another first down in their own territory on fourth and one. Their success – a third straight conversion in their own territory – led to another incredible big play by Scheelhaasue a minute later. He scrambled away from Grissom and found Langtry on a 69-yard bomb, as the Hutch safety arrived too late. After Rockhurst’s pitch plays and hand-offs continued to be ineffective, Scheelhaase did what worked – he did it himself, punching it outside on another bootleg, as junior outside linebacker Nate Thomas pinched too far inside. It was Hutch’s second mistake of the game for which blame was certainly due, and it put them behind 21-14.
Hutch’s offensive routine is like cigarette smoking. You know what it will do to you, but you can’t stop it.
Dreiling, who takes great satisfaction in arranging, executing and watching his destructive handiwork on offense, will never try new things. (Talk to him about the shotgun, and he’ll make a face.)
The Air Force-style triple option instituted at Hutch is never at a loss. Yes, it’s basically dink, fake and dunk, but when you think about it, there are really only three options on offense in basketball, as well. A player can pop off a screen, fade or curl around it. It’s teaching players when and how to use the basic elements of offense that separates teams.
The Air Force and Navy college football teams perennially challenge more talented squads by staying true to the option offense. Nebraska railroaded the nation’s best with the option, then slowly watered it down after the resignation of Tom Osborne. (Maybe they were tired of winning national titles.)
But its survival in Kansas preps is at least as safe as Dreiling’s job. With Smith and Dinwiddie on the roster this year and next, its implementation may allow Hutch to set a new state record for consecutive state titles (six).
But against Rockhurst – a game billed with state championship stakes – too much was asked of Hutch.
Following Scheelhaase’s opening score to put Rockhurst ahead 21-14, Hutch was still unstoppable. At 7:01 left in the third quarter, Dinwiddie sailed under another ball, thrown on the money over the middle and behind the defense by Schultz, to put the Salthawks deep in Rockhurst territory.
At 5:21, Smith powered over the goal line, coming to rest two yards into the end zone. The official on the Hutch sideline signalled touchdown, but then a couple seconds later another official pulled the ball from the bottom of the scrum in the end zone and signalled a touchback.
The offensive line, ready to set up for the extra point, hesitantly jogged to the sideline. Smith also waddled off the field to meet with Dreiling, who vehemently inquired of his player when he crossed the goal line and whether he had fumbled.
Disappointed with himself, Smith admitted his fumble, but with wide-eyed confusion, told Dreiling that he didn’t fumble until he hit the ground.
While no Hutch players issued a complaint to the referees on the field (Smith and Dinwiddie in post-game interviews blamed no one but their own team for the loss), Dreiling lost it. After telling the sideline ref that it was beginning to look a little strange, he chastised Smith for not holding on to the ball.
“I thought I was in,” Smith said after the game, still wide-eyed, “but I should have held tighter. I thought I was over the plane, but I should have held on to the ball. I hit the ground and it came out.”
Two minutes later, another Hutch touchdown was called not a touchdown. The Salthawks defense had locked down, forcing Rockhurst to punt with 3:00 remaining in the third quarter. Dinwiddie received, sprinting forward five yards before cutting outside in an arc and scoring. But senior John Reinert was called for clipping back at the beginning of the return.
“It don’t think it was a clip at all,” Dinwiddie (the game’s MVP if Hutch had won) said afterward. “But it’s a football game,” sounding as if something was in his throat. “I think we’re the better team, but we made too many mistakes.”
Reinert’s helmet hit on the Rockhurst defender’s back, while he made forceful contact with him on the side. It was a call that could have gone either way but also an easy one to add to the list.
While Dreiling delivered his perspective to the officials on the sideline, he had no excuses afterward. “If Josh doesn’t fumble the ball – if he just doesn’t fumble it, there’s no opportunity to make the call.”
Also, on Dinwiddie’s punt return being called back: “You don’t need to block there when you’re not involved on the play. Just stand there. You don’t need to hit the guy.”
After Dinwiddie’s touchdown was called back and they couldn’t move the ball, Hutch again stalled the Rockhurst offense, forcing them to punt on fourth and 27. A 16-yard shank put Hutch in Rockhurst territory at the 28-yard line with 9:57 remaining in the game.
Smith then carried for ten yards, and a face mask penalty put them inside the 10-yard line. Smith did it himself, holding on all the way, punching it in on two more carries to even the score at 21-21.
Entrenched in every aspect of the game at this point, Dreiling eschewed his regular meeting with the offense after the series, remaining on the edge of the sideline, which gave him a front-row seat to watch Scheelhaase orchestrate a score in 46 seconds. From midfield, he scrambled right, only to look back from where he came and dump one off to Chris Castelluccio on the opposite sideline. Castelluccio sprinted past the late-arriving secondary for the score.
Down 28-21, Hutch began to drive again. With 6:37 left, Yantes on the sideline answered another coach on his headset that “two’s not worth it.”
But the decision to go for a two-point conversion wouldn’t have to be made. With 4:04 remaining on third and 11, Smith caught the ball in the flat and followed blockers on a perfectly executed screen pass to inside the Rockhurst 20-yard line for a first down. But, again, Hutch was sent back to the 30 on a holding call. Then on another screen pass on fourth down, Smith went for 11 more yards, four short of the first down. Rockhurst ran out the final 2:38 from there, the scoreboard frozen but for the ticking seconds.
“How many first and fives did they have? I mean you can call penalties here and there. They kept us from getting first downs. That’s part of the game.”
Severino’s explanation for some of the calls against Hutch makes a valid point overall. Of course penalties are part of the game. However, flippantly designating the penalties called against Hutch as “here and there” is misleading. The calls were made at very vital points in the game:
• Dinwiddie’s run to inside the 20 on the opening drive;
• the personal foul against Grissom late in the second quarter, reversing the orginal illegal procedure call and extending a drive Rockhurst would score on;
• Smith’s touchdown called a fumble;
• Dinwiddie’s punt return for a touchdown called back just two minutes after Smith’s fumble late in the third quarter;
• the holding penalty on third down with 3:58 left in the game as Smith took a screen pass inside the 20.
Severino said after the game that he’d be shocked if anybody beat Hutch this year. The fact that Rockhurst beat them is what shocked Dreiling. While he said all the right things on his post-game radio interview, he was visibly troubled, even when his wife gave him a hug after leaving the booth. Any credit a parent or reporter gave him for his team’s performance was answered with, “Look at the scoreboard.”
Even on the Monday following the game while he watched the Hutchinson junior varsity game, Dreiling sounded sickened by the coddling others had offered in the aftermath. “No one said a word on the ride home. We’re tired of hearing people tell us we should have won,” he said.
The most intriguing outcome from the Kansas-Missouri match-up, however, is that Hutch stepped up in a game that no one thought they’d win. A team which had won 36 straight games and four consecutive state titles after being one of the worst football programs in the state had been told they were underdogs.
And that fact wasn’t just a slap in Hutch’s face from Kansas’ own media. It was an affront to all of Kansas football. In a state full of doubters who don’t think Kansas is very good, Hutch played the top team from Missouri, a state whose football is assumed superior, and whipped them everywhere but on the scoreboard.
That this fact wasn’t apparent in the final score is the real shame.
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