By Kevin Powell

 

COLFAX - The Dutko brothers - Alec and Austin - led the way as Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland beat Ridgeview, 22-14, in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs Friday night in a matchup of Heart of Illinois Conference teams. 

 

Alec Dutko passed for 111 yards on 10 of 18, while Austin Dutko rushed for 95 yards on 19 carries as the Falcons moved into the second round with an 8-2 record. Ridgeview ended the year at 7-3.

 

Tanner Bertsche got Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland on the board early when he returned an opening kickoff fumble 45 yards for a touchdown. Ridgeview added its second score on a 2-yard run by Jon Hays.

 

Ridgeview scored its first touchdown in the second quarter on a 1-yard plunge by Jonah Long to trail, 14-8.

Flanagan countered with a 30-yard scoring pass from  from Alec Dutko to Austin Dutko.

 

Late in the third quarter, Ridgeview cut its deficit to 22-14 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Wes Young, but could get no closer. 

 

"I just can't say enough about the effort of our kids tonight," said Flanagan coach Ryan Pearson. "They faced some adversity this week (with injuries), but they kept battling and never gave up. I couldn't be more proud of them."

 

 

 

 

Team	1	2	3	4	OT		Final
Flanagan	14	0	8	0			22
Ridgeview	0	8	8	0			16