By BRENT KRIEGH
Salina Post Contributor
A series of onside kicks and a couple of turnovers helped the Inman Teutons jump ahead early in the opening round of the Class 1A playoffs Friday night as they took down Sacred Heart, 42-2.
Sacred Heart recovered the surprise onside kick to open the game, but on the very next play a pitch from Maddox Wells to Dom Matteucci was mishandled, and Inman recovered.
Inman's Korbyn McClellan rushed 35 yards for a touchdown on the Teutons' first play from scrimmage.
Inman recovered the next onside kick, leading to a two-play possession capped by another touchdown run by McClellan, this one from 44 yards out, with just over a minute off the game clock.
On the night, McClellan had 200 rushing yards and all four of his touchdowns came in the first half. Quarterback Malachi Brunk added Inman's final touchdown late in the fourth quarter to finish the game off.
The Knights did show some signs of life throughout the night, only to have a penalty keep them out of the end zone. Senior Maddox Wells connected with Kolin Wilson for what would have been a 37-yard touchdown, but it was brought back by a holding penalty.
Kicking off to start the second half, the Knights regained possession following a big hit by Matteucci well beyond the 10-yard buffer zone. They drove down the field but turned the ball over on downs at Inman's 4-yard line. Matteucci then tackled the Inman ball carrier in the end zone on the next play for a safety, Sacred Heart's only points of the evening.
Sacred Heart closes its season with a record of 4-5, while Inman (7-2) will go on to host Hillsboro (6-3).