Hutchinson defeats Rocori in Minnesota football 4A Prep Bowl

The Tigers take their seventh title in school history in the Class 4A Minnesota high school football state championship game

MINNEAPOLIS — The Hutchinson Tigers (11-2) defeated the Rocori Spartans (10-3) 14-6 the Minnesota high school football Class 4A Prep Bowl on Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium. It's the seventh title in Hutchinson history.

"That was a brutal game, but we knew it was going to be that way," Hutchinson head coach andy Rostberg said. "Their defense is really good, and we made enough big plays to hang on."

Hutchinson's defense dominated the first half and held Rocori to 48 total yards. But the Spartans' defense responded multiple times deep in their own territory to limit the Tigers to six points at halftime. The Spartans defense was good enough to force the Tigers out of their usual dominant run game throughout.

The Tigers converted crucial third and fourth downs all night. In the second quarter, on a 4th and 10, Charlie Renner caught a pass and went to lateral to a teammate, but the Spartans had it covered, so instead Renner ran with it and converted the fourth down.

"[Renner] ad-libs pretty good the way it is," Rostberg said. "He just turned and spun around. It was a heck of a play."

One play later, Renner punched in a 3-yard rushing touchdown for a 6-0 lead, and the Tigers took that lead to halftime.

The Spartans scored on the second play of the opening drive of the second half. Quarterback Will Steil hit Caleb Maddox for a 67-yard touchdown to tie the game at 6. 

Despite the quick touchdown, both defenses continued to impress. The next touchdown didn't come until 5:24 remained in the game. 

Hutchinson had a methodical 15 play, eight minute, 66-yard drive to take a 14-6 lead. Needing to convert, quarterback Logan Butler hit receiver Kaden Butler on a wheel route to keep the drive alive.

Logan Butler finished 6-for-10 for 65 yards.

"It’s a credit to our defense, forcing them to do stuff that they’re not comfortable doing," Rocori coach James Herberg said.

Renner scored on the drive on a 2-yard touchdown, and Nathan Thode took the direct snap and converted the 2-point attempt for a 14-6 lead.

The Spartans had 5:21 to tie the game with a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. As had it all game, the Hutchinson defense made a play. Steil threw pass, a Tigers defender knocked it into the air, and another Tigers defender caught the ball for the interception. 

The Tigers offenses converted multiple first downs on the next drive to drain the Spartans' timeouts and the clock.

It's the Tigers seventh state title in school history, and there is pressure to playing for Hutchinson.

"It's a sigh of relief," Logan Butler said. "We knew we were good, and we knew that we could go and do this, but to actually go out and do it, it feels great to go out and put our name up on that wall."

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