HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Andale Indians came in to Saturday's Class 3A state championship game having won 50 straight games and had won every game this season by at least 30 points.
They didn't quite meet the 30 point mark, but the most important number was their defense putting up a zero in a 28-0 win Saturday at Gowans Stadium.
The backbreaker actually turned out to be the game's first drive, where Andale converted on 4th and goal with a 16 yard touchdown pass from Wyatt Spexarth to Riley Marx. After the two point conversion, it was 8-0.
Andale added to their total with a Spexarth one-yard plunge at 6:02 before halftime and then further extended the lead with a Cody Parthemer one-yard run with twenty-six seconds left in the half. Add on the Marlo Sullivan extra points after each and it was 22-0 Indians at the break. Owen Eck added a final score with 51 seconds left in the game to give the 28-0 final.
The Andale formula is tough defense and turnovers and that was the recipe on Saturday, as they held Holton to just six first downs and 161 yards of offense and forced two fumbles and got an interception and won the turnover battle three to one, as Holton could not take advantage of an early Indian fumble when the game was still in doubt.
Andale ends its season at 13-0. Holton ends its season at 11-2.