HUTCHINSON -- The Silver Lake Eagles capped off the 2013 Season with a record-breaking 82-38 victory over the Beloit Trojans in the Class 3A State Championship game at Gowans Field in Hutchison.
The two teams combined for a state championship record 120 points and Silver Lake’s 82 points also set a new championship game mark.
The scoring started early as Beloit senior quarterback Payton Vetter returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.
Things would turn quickly though as Silver Lake’s defense would stiffen on the two-point conversion attempt, and the Eagles would fire back with scores on their next three possessions to build a 19-6 lead. Quarterback Dailin Kruger passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another during the first quarter, and he was far from done.
After Bowe Behymer pulled Beloit within 19-14 to end the first quarter, Kruger connected with Isaac Pridey for a second time to make it 27-14.
Vetter tossed a touchdown pass to Dustin Reiter to get the Trojans within 27-22 in the second quarter. But the Eagles would again have an answer as Kruger tossed two more touchdown passes, the second going or 28 yards to Ryan Matzke on the final play of the first half to give Silver Lake a 41-22 lead.
In the second half, Silver Lake scored via the ground game as Kruger and Matzke each scored twice and Cody Renfro added another score. The Eagles led 69-38 entering the fourth quarter.
The Eagles were led by Kruger, who playing on a torn ACL since week five, completed 21-32 passes for 317 yards and five touchdowns. He added ten carries for 92 yards and three TDs on the ground.
Junior wide receiver Jace Freeman caught nine passes for 148 yards and two scores, while Pridey added 110 yards and two scores on seven catches.
The Silver Lake defense held Beloit’s 2,000-yard rusher Behymer to 80 yards on the day and forced six turnovers.
The title marks the eighth football championship in the school’s history.
The Eagles finished the season with a record of 13-1 after avenging their one loss of the season to their rival Rossville with a win in the state semifinals. Beloit finished the season at 13-1.
Use your Facebook account to add a comment or start a discussion. Posts are subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment.
