Kansas City's Varsity Sports

EMPORIA, Kan. | Never mind that until a few years ago, Gardner Edgerton was an afterthought in the landscape of Kansas varsity football. Or that Hutchinson has been the state’s preeminent program of late.

The upstart Trailblazers came to win Saturday. It didn’t happen, and coach Marvin Diener wasn’t looking for moral victories afterward.

Hutchinson overcame an early deficit and scored the final 45 points to defeat Gardner Edgerton, 52-14, in the Kansas 5A state championship game at Emporia State’s Welch Stadium. It was the Salthawks’ state-record sixth consecutive championship (the last two at 5A after four straight 6A titles).

Gardner Edgerton, 12-0, vs. Hutchinson, 12-0•WHEN/WHERE: 1 p.m. today at Emporia State’s Welch Stadium, Emporia

•TV/RADIO: No TV; KOFO (1220 AM).

•COACH: Marvin Diener of Gardner Edgerton

Marvin Diener had made his decision. He had inquired about the coaching vacancy at Gardner Edgerton, had visited the school and mulled over his options, but he was going to stay at Salina Central

That was almost four years ago. Diener had just finished an undefeated season while winning his sixth Kansas 5A state championship. He had turned Salina Central into one of the pre-eminent football programs in the state. More than 160 miles away, Gardner Edgerton had never won a playoff game.

So, yes, Diener would stay where he was. He informed the principals from both schools. And yet, something didn’t feel right.