Tory Adams

Defending state champion Hutchinson (11-0) defeated South St. Paul (9-2) 48-28 on Thursday in the Class 4A state tournament quarterfinal game at Chanhassen.

Hutchinson will face the winner of Friday's game between Delano and Cloquet in a semifinal matchup next Thursday at the Metrodome.

The Tigers led the Packers by a score of 27-12 at the half. Junior quarterback Marcus Hahn passed to senior defensive end Jake Wendland for 45 yards on the first drive.The Packers responded on their first drive with a 20-yard touchdown from junior running back Jaden Bjorklund.

Senior tailback Tory Adams brought the Tigers ahead again with a 21-yard run before the Packers’ senior quarterback Bill Brandecker ran a 1-yard touchdown. Hutchinson took over until halftime, with Hahn scoring a quarterback sneak before combining with Adams again for an 11-yard touchdown.

Adams added another 5-yard touchdown early in the third quarter before Brandecker threw a 64-yard touchdown to senior defensive back Nick Jerhoff and then a conversion to senior defensive linebacker Ontario Jackson. Junior running back Robbie Grimsley extended Hutchinson’s lead with a 37-yard touchdown shortly after. Senior running back Marco Freeman made a 5-yard touchdown before Brandecker passed to senior wide receiver Christian Rund for the conversion early in the final quarter. But Wendland and Hahn combined again for 25 yards for the final scoring play of the game.

Recap: Hutchinson senior tailback Tory Adams scored three touchdowns and rushed for 179 yards on 25 carries. The undefeated Tigers will face the winner of Friday's quarterfinal game between Delano and Cloquet in next Thursday's semifinal game at the Metrodome on Thursday. They are seeking a second consecutive state title and fifth overall.

Key of the game: Hutchinson relied heavily on its running game and protected the ball. South St. Paul struggled with accuracy. The Packers fumbled the ball twice, losing one, and threw two interceptions. Two of these turnovers led to Tigers’ touchdowns.

Quote: “It was great. The lineman opened up holes for me, came off the ball hard and fast. … So I just ran.” — Hutchinson senior safety Tory Adams.

One thing to know: Senior quarterback Bill Brandecker carried the Packers. He scored on a quarterback sneak and passed for a 64-yard touchdown and two conversions in his team’s fourth tournament appearance.

MEGAN RYAN