By GARRETT WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HUTCHINSON ā The Hutchinson-Trinity Catholic Celtics rode a dominant defensive performance and three rushing touchdowns from senior running back Luke Kerns to a 20-0 shutout victory over the Plainville Cardinals in the opening round of the Class 1A State Playoffs on Friday night. With the win, the Celtics improved to 7-2 and advanced to the regional round, where theyāll face Republic County, who beat Oakley 42-20 on Thursday. Plainvilleās season ends at 3-5.
Hutchinson-Trinity set the tone early, driving 52 yards on their opening possession and capping it with a four-yard touchdown run from Kerns. A high snap on the extra point made it 6-0 midway through the first quarter. The Celticsā defense forced consecutive three-and-outs from the Cardinals, limiting Plainville to zero first downs in the opening frame.
A blocked punt by Isaac Hammersmith in the second quarter swung momentum fully toward Hutchinson-Trinity, setting them up at the Plainville 14-yard line. Five plays later, Kerns punched in his second touchdown from two yards out, and a successful two-point conversion on an end-around to Kaid McElgunn extended the lead to 14-0.
Plainville showed signs of life late in the half when quarterback Joey Dintino found Davyn Willeford for a 42-yard completion down to the Celticsā 15-yard line. But a misfired snap led to a fumble recovery by Bentyn Chastain, ending the drive. Trinityās Lucas Griffith added his third sack of the half as the Cardinalsā next series stalled, keeping it 14-0 at halftime.
Both defenses stiffened after the break. Plainville managed its deepest drive in the third quarter to the Celticsā 29, but Griffith came up with another sackāone of six on the night for the junior standout. Hutch-Trinity finally put the game away early in the fourth, capitalizing on a short field after a strong punt return. Kerns took a handoff 15 yards for his third touchdown of the night, sealing the 20-0 victory.
The Celtics controlled the trenches throughout, outgaining Plainville 189-126 in total offense while converting 4-of-9 third downs and finishing a perfect 3-for-3 in the red zone. Kerns totaled 91 yards on 18 carries, scoring all three touchdowns, while quarterback Drew Dechant added 63 passing yards and 39 rushing. Chastain led Trinity receivers with three catches for 51 yards.
For Plainville, Dintino went 7-of-13 for 89 yards through the air but was under heavy pressure all night, losing 36 yards on sacks. Running back Zayne Stahl led the ground game with 46 yards on 15 carries. The Cardinals struggled on third down (0-for-9) and failed to score on two red zone trips.
Hutchinson-Trinity advances to the regional round next week at Republic County, while Plainville closes the year 3-5, the worst finish for 3rd year head coach Alex McMillian.