INMAN — The Inman High School football team opened the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 1A playoffs with a convincing 43-2 victory over Salina-Sacred Heart on Oct. 30.
The third-seeded Teutons used an aggressive start, opportunistic defense and a dominant rushing performance to eliminate the 14th-seeded Knights and advance to the second round of the postseason.
Inman wasted little time establishing control.
Sacred Heart recovered an attempted onside kick to open the game, but a mishandled pitch on the Knights’ first offensive play resulted in an Inman fumble recovery.
The Teutons immediately capitalized.
Korbyn McClellan broke free for a 35-yard touchdown run on Inman’s first offensive play.
Inman recovered the ensuing onside kick, setting up another scoring opportunity.
McClellan needed just two plays to reach the end zone again, breaking loose for a 44-yard touchdown run with just over a minute elapsed in the game.
McClellan continued to power the Inman offense throughout the first half.
He finished the night with 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns, all coming before halftime.
Sacred Heart had opportunities to get back into the contest but struggled to overcome penalties and Inman’s defensive pressure.
A 37-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Maddox Wells and Kolin Wilson was negated by a holding penalty.
The Knights made their only appearance on the scoreboard in the third quarter.
After regaining possession on a big hit by Dom Matteucci following the kickoff, Sacred Heart moved the ball deep into Inman territory.
The drive ended with a turnover on downs at the Teutons’ 4-yard line.
On Inman’s next play, Matteucci brought down the Teuton ball carrier in the end zone for a safety, accounting for Sacred Heart’s two points.
Inman added another touchdown late in the fourth quarter when quarterback Malachi Brunk found the end zone to complete the victory.
The win improved Inman’s season record to 7-2 and extended its postseason run into the second round of the Class 1A tournament.
The Teutons will host Hillsboro on Nov. 6.
The Trojans enter the matchup following their own first-round victory over Ellinwood.
