It’s been a special season for Hutto in 2017 and that ride will continue another week as the Hippos held off the A&M Consolidated Tigers by a 24-21 final in Waller to advance to the Class 5A Division II regional semifinals.
“I think we got some great pressure on their quarterback and that was big,” Hutto coach Steven Van Meter said via phone, “The last eight minute drive at the end of the game was huge. We made some big plays down the stretch during that drive.”‘
Photo: Steve Bushman/TexasHSFootball.com
The Hippos got things rolling early on in the first quarter with a Chase Griffin touchdown pass to Caden Dykowski to make it 7-0. After forcing a Tiger fumble on the ensuing kickoff, the Hippos would cash in with a touchdown run by Jayden Medina to make it 14-0.
Consol responded with a touchdown reception from Aaron Campbell-Love via Dalayn Faltysek to get the Tigers on the board. The Hippos came right back with special teams, thanks to a field goal by Isidoro Barrios and a blocked punt that set up a Chase Griffin touchdown to make it 24-7.
The Tigers would gather themselves with a late touchdown to make it 24-14 heading into the locker room. It was a 10-point game but Van Meter knew that the game was far from over.
“We knew it was going to be a very hard-fought game,” Van Meter said, “We match up pretty similarly to Consolidated and they’re a great defensive team. We left some points on the board tonight but that happens with good teams.”
Photo: Steve Bushman/TexasHSFootball.com
The second half turned into a defensive struggle as neither team could get much of anything going. Hutto would constantly pressure the quarterback and finished the night with eight sacks.
The Tigers would hang in and deliver a touchdown from Faltysek to Steven Ray to bring the Tigers within three. But when they absolutely needed it, Hutto quarterback Chase Griffin delivered as the Hippos moved the ball down the field and eventually ran out the clock.
“Chase is just super competitive and he seems to come up with the big throw and big play when we need it and did it again tonight in several key situations,” Van Meter said, “We had to make something happen and he did.”
Next up for the Hippos will be Fort Bend Marshall and a time, date and place to be determined. A&M Consolidated ends their season at 9-3.
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