ARKANSAS CITY – After a wild first half and a scoreless second half, the Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team battled to a 2-2 KJCCC draw on the road at No. 6 Cowley College on Saturday.

The Blue Dragons are now 6-2-2 overall and 3-2-2 (11 points) in the Jayhawk Conference. The Blue Dragons have a busy week ahead with a home battle Wednesday against Coffeyville, the resumption of their suspended game against Dodge City on Friday and then a road trip to Dodge City next Sunday. First-place Cowley is now 6-0-3 overall and 6-0-2 (20 points) in the conference.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/pokrandt_anastasia_o9md">Anastasia Pokrandt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/puccinelli_isabela_fmo3">Isabela Puccinelli</a>&nbsp;scored goals for the Blue Dragons on Saturday. Isabella Van Fleet had the only assist. Goalkeeper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/carvell_evie_w1nf">Evie Carvell</a>&nbsp;(4-2-2) had five saves in the game.

Sara Arsee and Sara Cortez were the Cowley goal scorers. Tiger goalkeeper Julia Suelly had two saves.

The Blue Dragons were out-shot 16-8 by the Tigers, who had seven corner kicks to none for the Blue Dragons.

Every time Cowley scored in the first half the Blue Dragons produced an answer.

The Tigers scored first just 7:51 into the match when Cortez scored. The Dragons knotted the game in the 25th minute when Pokrandt hammered a high-arching free kick from about 48 yards out toward goal. The ball bounced about 5 feet in front of the goal and bounced over Suelly to tie the game at 1-1 with 20:46 to play in the half. The goal was Pokrandt's first of the season and third-career marker.

A little more than 2 1/2 minutes later, Arsee scored unassisted to give Cowley a 2-1 lead.

Then when less than a minute to play in the first half. Van Fleet played a through-ball up the middle that Puccinelli got two and split three Cowley defenders. Going in one-on-one with the Cowley keeper, Puccinelli outmaneuvered her and scored into an open net with 24 seconds remaining in the half to tie the game at 2-2.

Going against a strong south wind in the second half, the Dragons weren't able to produce much offense, getting out-shot 10-2 in the final 45 minutes. The Dragons didn't get a shot on goal in the second half.

Carvell had to make four saves in the second half to help preserve Hutchinson's second draw of the season.

The Blue Dragons are now 14-7-4 all-time against Cowley, going winless (0-4-3) in their last seven matches against the Tigers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759748872886.jpeg" alt="Isabela Puccinelli scored with 24 seconds remaining in the first half to tie the Blue Dragon women's soccer team's KJCCC match at 2-2. The Dragons and Tigers were scoreless in the second half and battled to a 2-2 draw on Saturday in Arkansas City. (Sydney Holzrichter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)." />
 <figcaption>Isabela Puccinelli scored with 24 seconds remaining in the first half to tie the Blue Dragon women's soccer team's KJCCC match at 2-2. The Dragons and Tigers were scoreless in the second half and battled to a 2-2 draw on Saturday in Arkansas City. (Sydney Holzrichter/Blue Dragon Sports Information).</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationARKANSAS CITY – After a wild first half and a scoreless second half, the Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team battled to a 2-2 KJCCC draw on the road at No. 6 Cowley College on Saturday.The Blue Dragons are now 6-2-2 overall and 3-2-2 (11 points) in the Jayhawk Conference. The Blue Dragons have a busy week ahead with a home battle Wednesday against Coffeyville, the resumption of their suspended game against Dodge City on Friday and then a road trip to Dodge City next Sunday. First-place Cowley is now 6-0-3 overall and 6-0-2 (20 points) in the conference.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/pokrandt_anastasia_o9md">Anastasia Pokrandt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/puccinelli_isabela_fmo3">Isabela Puccinelli</a>&nbsp;scored goals for the Blue Dragons on Saturday. Isabella Van Fleet had the only assist. Goalkeeper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/carvell_evie_w1nf">Evie Carvell</a>&nbsp;(4-2-2) had five saves in the game.Sara Arsee and Sara Cortez were the Cowley goal scorers. Tiger goalkeeper Julia Suelly had two saves.The Blue Dragons were out-shot 16-8 by the Tigers, who had seven corner kicks to none for the Blue Dragons.Every time Cowley scored in the first half the Blue Dragons produced an answer.The Tigers scored first just 7:51 into the match when Cortez scored. The Dragons knotted the game in the 25th minute when Pokrandt hammered a high-arching free kick from about 48 yards out toward goal. The ball bounced about 5 feet in front of the goal and bounced over Suelly to tie the game at 1-1 with 20:46 to play in the half. The goal was Pokrandt's first of the season and third-career marker.A little more than 2 1/2 minutes later, Arsee scored unassisted to give Cowley a 2-1 lead.Then when less than a minute to play in the first half. Van Fleet played a through-ball up the middle that Puccinelli got two and split three Cowley defenders. Going in one-on-one with the Cowley keeper, Puccinelli outmaneuvered her and scored into an open net with 24 seconds remaining in the half to tie the game at 2-2.Going against a strong south wind in the second half, the Dragons weren't able to produce much offense, getting out-shot 10-2 in the final 45 minutes. The Dragons didn't get a shot on goal in the second half.Carvell had to make four saves in the second half to help preserve Hutchinson's second draw of the season.The Blue Dragons are now 14-7-4 all-time against Cowley, going winless (0-4-3) in their last seven matches against the Tigers.

⚽️ Dragons draw even with No. 6 Tigers

GREAT BEND – Minus two starters because of injuries, the Hutchinson Community College volleyball pushed the No. 12-ranked Barton Cougars to the brink on Saturday night at the newly renovated Barton Gym.

Playing their second Jayhawk Conference five-set match of the week, the Blue Dragons fell 18-25, 25-21, 27-29, 26-24, 15-8 as Barton completed the regular-season sweep of Hutchinson. The Dragons are now 11-13 overall and 3-6 in the KJCCC. Barton improved to 20-5 overall and 7-1 in the league. The Blue Dragons play host to Cloud County on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/villanueva_alondra_w1k3">Alondra Villanueva</a>&nbsp;led the Blue Dragons with her 11th double-double of the season, going for 18 kills on 63 attacks and a career-best 28 digs.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/mcneil_jaylynn_8662">Jaylynn McNeill</a>&nbsp;hit a conference-high .290 on 31 attacks, finishing with 13 kills.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/follmer_kierny_j8x3">Kierny Follmer</a>&nbsp;posted a career-high 12 kills on 29 swings for a .379 hitting percentage.

The Blue Dragons were out-hit .229-.175. Barton had 74 kills to Hutchinson's 59. Barton out-blocked the Dragons 10-9 and out-aced Hutchinson 7-1.

Freshman setter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/garcia_alexandra_ev7s">Alexandra Garcia</a>&nbsp;finished with a season-high 48 assists and posted her third double-double of the season with 10 digs. She also had three blocks.

Follmer and freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/galliher_mattie_fggb">Mattie Galliher</a>&nbsp;tied with six block assists each to lead the Dragons in that category.

Stasa Stamenkovic had a match-high 27 kills on 65 attacks to led Barton. Carolini Cristiny had 17 kills and Aubrey Olander had 11 kills and six blocks for the Cougars.

After dropping the first set, Villanueva led a second-set charge by the Blue Dragons with six kills and .333 hitting. The Dragons had a pair of blocks late in the set, including a stuff by Galliher on set point to win 25-21.

The Dragons led 22-21 in the third set, but faced and fought off two set points against. Barton outlasted the Dragons 29-27 in the third to take a 2-1 match lead.

Hutchinson raced out to an 8-0 lead to start the fourth set. The lead was 19-14 after a Galliher/Garcia double block and Villanueva kill. Barton went on a 5-1 run to pull within 20-19, but Follmer played a tip deep that landed on the back line for a kill and a 26-24 set win by Hutchinson to knot the match.

Barton led 8-7 at the fifth-set crossover and closed out the Dragons with a match-clinching 7-1 run.

The Dragons are now 2-4 in five-set matches this season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759748747190.jpeg" alt="Sophomore Kierny Follner had a career-high 12 kills in the Blue Dragon volleyball team's five-set loss at No. 12 Barton on Saturday in Great Bend. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)" />
 <figcaption>Sophomore Kierny Follner had a career-high 12 kills in the Blue Dragon volleyball team's five-set loss at No. 12 Barton on Saturday in Great Bend. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationGREAT BEND – Minus two starters because of injuries, the Hutchinson Community College volleyball pushed the No. 12-ranked Barton Cougars to the brink on Saturday night at the newly renovated Barton Gym.Playing their second Jayhawk Conference five-set match of the week, the Blue Dragons fell 18-25, 25-21, 27-29, 26-24, 15-8 as Barton completed the regular-season sweep of Hutchinson. The Dragons are now 11-13 overall and 3-6 in the KJCCC. Barton improved to 20-5 overall and 7-1 in the league. The Blue Dragons play host to Cloud County on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/villanueva_alondra_w1k3">Alondra Villanueva</a>&nbsp;led the Blue Dragons with her 11th double-double of the season, going for 18 kills on 63 attacks and a career-best 28 digs.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/mcneil_jaylynn_8662">Jaylynn McNeill</a>&nbsp;hit a conference-high .290 on 31 attacks, finishing with 13 kills.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/follmer_kierny_j8x3">Kierny Follmer</a>&nbsp;posted a career-high 12 kills on 29 swings for a .379 hitting percentage.The Blue Dragons were out-hit .229-.175. Barton had 74 kills to Hutchinson's 59. Barton out-blocked the Dragons 10-9 and out-aced Hutchinson 7-1.Freshman setter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/garcia_alexandra_ev7s">Alexandra Garcia</a>&nbsp;finished with a season-high 48 assists and posted her third double-double of the season with 10 digs. She also had three blocks.Follmer and freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/galliher_mattie_fggb">Mattie Galliher</a>&nbsp;tied with six block assists each to lead the Dragons in that category.Stasa Stamenkovic had a match-high 27 kills on 65 attacks to led Barton. Carolini Cristiny had 17 kills and Aubrey Olander had 11 kills and six blocks for the Cougars.After dropping the first set, Villanueva led a second-set charge by the Blue Dragons with six kills and .333 hitting. The Dragons had a pair of blocks late in the set, including a stuff by Galliher on set point to win 25-21.The Dragons led 22-21 in the third set, but faced and fought off two set points against. Barton outlasted the Dragons 29-27 in the third to take a 2-1 match lead.Hutchinson raced out to an 8-0 lead to start the fourth set. The lead was 19-14 after a Galliher/Garcia double block and Villanueva kill. Barton went on a 5-1 run to pull within 20-19, but Follmer played a tip deep that landed on the back line for a kill and a 26-24 set win by Hutchinson to knot the match.Barton led 8-7 at the fifth-set crossover and closed out the Dragons with a match-clinching 7-1 run.The Dragons are now 2-4 in five-set matches this season.

🏐 HutchCC falls in five sets to No. 12 Barton

No. 1 Hutchinson 50, Ellsworth (Iowa) 0 No. 8 Garden City 89, Community Christian (Mich.) 0 No. 14 Iowa Central 49, Dodge City 0 Independence 26, Highland 0 No. 2 Iowa Western 35,&nbsp;No. 10 Coffeyville 24

Saint Mary 31, Tabor 7 No. 18 Southwestern 62, Avila 0 No. 24 McPherson 37, Bethany 13 Evangel 7, Kansas Wesleyan 6 No. 6 Friends 28 at Ottawa 7 Bethel 34, Sterling 26

No. 21 Fort Hays State 28, Missouri Southern 21 No. 8 Pittsburg State 23, Nebraska Kearney 6 Emporia State 50, Missouri Western 14 Central Missouri 35, Central Oklahoma 34

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F806653868401172%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><h2>KJCCC</h2>No. 1 Hutchinson 50, Ellsworth (Iowa) 0 No. 8 Garden City 89, Community Christian (Mich.) 0 No. 14 Iowa Central 49, Dodge City 0 Independence 26, Highland 0 No. 2 Iowa Western 35,&nbsp;No. 10 Coffeyville 24<h2>KCAC</h2>Saint Mary 31, Tabor 7 No. 18 Southwestern 62, Avila 0 No. 24 McPherson 37, Bethany 13 Evangel 7, Kansas Wesleyan 6 No. 6 Friends 28 at Ottawa 7 Bethel 34, Sterling 26<h2>MIAA</h2>No. 21 Fort Hays State 28, Missouri Southern 21 No. 8 Pittsburg State 23, Nebraska Kearney 6 Emporia State 50, Missouri Western 14 Central Missouri 35, Central Oklahoma 34

🏈 KJCCC, KCAC, MIAA results for Oct. 4

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kansas' defense came up with two decisive plays near the goal line, setting up the Jayhawks' go-ahead touchdown with a strip sack and fumble recovery to stop UCF on three consecutive plays from the 1 with less than two minutes remaining to help Kansas beat the Knights 27-20 on Saturday night.

Kansas' Trey Lathan recovered a fumble at the 2 late in the third quarter off a strip sack from Jalen Dye, setting up the go-ahead 2-yard touchdown run from Leshon Williams. Lathan then tackled Cam Fancher on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 1:47 to secure the victory.

“You are expecting to lose in that situation,” Lathan said. “But when you come out with a W, it’s a great feeling.”

Kansas (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) lost last week’s game to Cincinnati after a goal line battle, ending with a Bearcats' 2-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds remaining.

UCF drove to the Kansas 22 after getting the ball back, but four straight incompletions that included a pass breakup in the end zone by Austin Alexander, ended the Knights' final threat.

Kansas erased an early 14-0 lead from UCF (3-2, 0-2) after Myles Montgomery and the Knights ran all over the Jayhawks in the first half.

Jalon Daniels led the charge for Kansas, throwing for 235 yards on 18-for-26 passing. Williams rushed for 58 yards and three touchdowns for the Jayhawks.

“These guys are growing,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “I think this can be a big one for them to gain some confidence.”

Montgomery rushed for 99 of his 110 yards in the first half, scoring two touchdowns to stake the Knights to an early lead.

UCF’s Tayven Jackson finished with 97 yards on 14-for-23 passing. He left the game after his turnover and came out of the locker room with his left arm in a sling. Coach Scott Frost said X-rays on his shoulder were negative.

Fancher, who started UCF’s opening game against Jacksonville State before leaving with an injury, completed 8 of 14 passes for 79 yards.

The Knights could not find answers in the second half and lost for the second straight game.

“I think we're one of the most talented teams in the Big 12, we've just got to finish,” UCF receiver Duane Thomas Jr. said. “We have to play a complete football game. We can't go out the first two quarters and lay down the next two.”

Part of the shift in the game came from Kansas linebacker Bangally Kamara, who was coming off suspension in the first half after a second-half targeting penalty last week against Cincinnati. Kamara finished with four tackles and provided a boost for the Jayhawks' defense.

Both teams stayed on the field after pregame warmups for a moment of silence to recognize UCF offensive line coach Shawn Clark. Clark passed away Sept. 21. He joined UCF's staff after five years as the head coach at Appalachian State.

Several players for Kansas were fighting through injury, including Williams. The biggest was to kicker Laith Marjan, who made two field goals. His 41-yarder in the third quarter just made it over the crossbar, clipping it before going through.

Leipold admitted Marjan was probably a bit fatigued after he kicked the ensuing kickoff out of bounds following the short field goal.

Kansas: The Jayhawks have been known for their offense throughout the season, but their defense stepped up in a big way to stymie the Knights.

UCF: The Knights will again face quarterback questions after Jackson left the game with an injury. Jackson left last week's game with a shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Jacurri Brown also missed the game with a shoulder injury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759639703819.jpeg" alt="Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) carries the ball during the second quarter against the UCF Knights at the Ascrisure Bounce House on Oct. 4, 2025." />
 <figcaption>Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) carries the ball during the second quarter against the UCF Knights at the Ascrisure Bounce House on Oct. 4, 2025.</figcaption>
 </figure>ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kansas' defense came up with two decisive plays near the goal line, setting up the Jayhawks' go-ahead touchdown with a strip sack and fumble recovery to stop UCF on three consecutive plays from the 1 with less than two minutes remaining to help Kansas beat the Knights 27-20 on Saturday night.Kansas' Trey Lathan recovered a fumble at the 2 late in the third quarter off a strip sack from Jalen Dye, setting up the go-ahead 2-yard touchdown run from Leshon Williams. Lathan then tackled Cam Fancher on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 1:47 to secure the victory.“You are expecting to lose in that situation,” Lathan said. “But when you come out with a W, it’s a great feeling.”Kansas (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) lost last week’s game to Cincinnati after a goal line battle, ending with a Bearcats' 2-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds remaining.UCF drove to the Kansas 22 after getting the ball back, but four straight incompletions that included a pass breakup in the end zone by Austin Alexander, ended the Knights' final threat.Kansas erased an early 14-0 lead from UCF (3-2, 0-2) after Myles Montgomery and the Knights ran all over the Jayhawks in the first half.Jalon Daniels led the charge for Kansas, throwing for 235 yards on 18-for-26 passing. Williams rushed for 58 yards and three touchdowns for the Jayhawks.“These guys are growing,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “I think this can be a big one for them to gain some confidence.”Montgomery rushed for 99 of his 110 yards in the first half, scoring two touchdowns to stake the Knights to an early lead.UCF’s Tayven Jackson finished with 97 yards on 14-for-23 passing. He left the game after his turnover and came out of the locker room with his left arm in a sling. Coach Scott Frost said X-rays on his shoulder were negative.Fancher, who started UCF’s opening game against Jacksonville State before leaving with an injury, completed 8 of 14 passes for 79 yards.The Knights could not find answers in the second half and lost for the second straight game.“I think we're one of the most talented teams in the Big 12, we've just got to finish,” UCF receiver Duane Thomas Jr. said. “We have to play a complete football game. We can't go out the first two quarters and lay down the next two.”<h2>Off Suspension</h2>Part of the shift in the game came from Kansas linebacker Bangally Kamara, who was coming off suspension in the first half after a second-half targeting penalty last week against Cincinnati. Kamara finished with four tackles and provided a boost for the Jayhawks' defense.<h2>Memorializing Coach Clark</h2>Both teams stayed on the field after pregame warmups for a moment of silence to recognize UCF offensive line coach Shawn Clark. Clark passed away Sept. 21. He joined UCF's staff after five years as the head coach at Appalachian State.<h2>Fighting through injury</h2>Several players for Kansas were fighting through injury, including Williams. The biggest was to kicker Laith Marjan, who made two field goals. His 41-yarder in the third quarter just made it over the crossbar, clipping it before going through.Leipold admitted Marjan was probably a bit fatigued after he kicked the ensuing kickoff out of bounds following the short field goal.<h2>The Takeaway</h2>Kansas: The Jayhawks have been known for their offense throughout the season, but their defense stepped up in a big way to stymie the Knights.UCF: The Knights will again face quarterback questions after Jackson left the game with an injury. Jackson left last week's game with a shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Jacurri Brown also missed the game with a shoulder injury.

🏈 Kansas' defense stymies UCF to escape with 27-20 win

WACO, Texas (AP) — Connor Hawkins kicked a 53-yard field goal with 31 seconds left after Jacob Redding's go-ahead 66-yard interception return for a touchdown as Baylor rallied twice in the fourth quarter for a 35-34 victory over Kansas State on Saturday.

Hawkins matched the longest kick of his career after Luis Rodriguez had put the Wildcats in front with a 22-yard field goal with 1:48 remaining. Kansas State (2-4, 1-2 Big 12) had to settle for the kick after having a first down at the Baylor 2-yard line.

Rodriguez had a chance for a game-winner from 56 yards, but 6-foot-4 defensive end Cooper Lanz blocked it with 2 seconds to go. The Bears (4-2, 2-1) held on two weeks after losing to Arizona State on a game-ending field goal in their previous home game.

“It’s a roller coaster for sure, an emotional roller coaster,” Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson said. “I remember sitting in here a couple of weeks ago and saying that I know one thing for sure, we’re going to fight to the very end. Because of that, we put ourselves in a position to win.”

Michael Trigg had career highs with eight catches for 155 yards and sparked Baylor's rally from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard grab a play before making a spectacular one-handed catch while getting one foot down on the sideline, gaining another 29 yards.

Robertson's 11-yard scoring pass to Bryson Washington came on the next play, and Robertson’s 2-point conversion run cut Baylor's deficit to 31-25.

Avery Johnson, who threw for 339 yards and two TDs and ran for a score, had kept a potential clock-killing drive alive with two third-down conversions but he threw into traffic on first down in Baylor territory with the six-point lead.

Redding picked off the pass, ran left up the sideline and cut back inside with the speedy Johnson pursuing to finish off the score untouched. Hawkins' PAT kick put Baylor ahead 32-31 with less than five minutes to go.

“I’d be lying if I said a couple of years ago that I’d be in this position,” Redding said. “I was running, I was like, ‘I can’t believe this is happening.’ And then I scored and I was like, ‘No flags?’ This is a dream come true.”

Johnson's 12-yard scoring pass to Jayce Brown broke a 17-17 halftime tie, and the Wildcats went up two touchdowns on Dylan Edwards' 5-yard run late in the third quarter.

“We did things well enough to win, but we didn’t earn the win,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “That’s why we’re walking out of here with a one-point loss and a lot of woulda, shoulda, couldas.”

Kansas State: It's the third time this season the Wildcats have led or been tied in the fourth quarter of a loss. They've had a one-score margin a nation-leading five times in six games. Three of the losses are by three points or fewer.

Baylor: Robertson had two TD tosses, ending his streak of consecutive games with at least three scoring passes at five. It was the longest since Kyler Murray had eight in a row with Oklahoma in 2018. His 345 yards passing were almost right on his nation-leading average.

The temperature approach 90 degrees late in the game on the first Saturday in October in Texas. It was on Klieman's mind. “We played a lot of guys because we had guys injured. Plus, it was hot,” the coach said.

Besides the one-handed grab, Trigg had a leaping catch over the middle in the first half on a drive that appeared to end with him making another athletic catch in the back of the end zone. It was overturned on review, apparently because he didn't have full control. “We knew we had a mismatch nightmare on the kid,” Klieman said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759630568599.jpeg" alt="Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Ronaldo Bolaños)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Ronaldo Bolaños)</figcaption>
 </figure>WACO, Texas (AP) — Connor Hawkins kicked a 53-yard field goal with 31 seconds left after Jacob Redding's go-ahead 66-yard interception return for a touchdown as Baylor rallied twice in the fourth quarter for a 35-34 victory over Kansas State on Saturday.Hawkins matched the longest kick of his career after Luis Rodriguez had put the Wildcats in front with a 22-yard field goal with 1:48 remaining. Kansas State (2-4, 1-2 Big 12) had to settle for the kick after having a first down at the Baylor 2-yard line.Rodriguez had a chance for a game-winner from 56 yards, but 6-foot-4 defensive end Cooper Lanz blocked it with 2 seconds to go. The Bears (4-2, 2-1) held on two weeks after losing to Arizona State on a game-ending field goal in their previous home game.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759630686997.jpeg" alt="Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards (3) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Ronaldo Bolaños)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards (3) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Ronaldo Bolaños)</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s a roller coaster for sure, an emotional roller coaster,” Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson said. “I remember sitting in here a couple of weeks ago and saying that I know one thing for sure, we’re going to fight to the very end. Because of that, we put ourselves in a position to win.”Michael Trigg had career highs with eight catches for 155 yards and sparked Baylor's rally from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard grab a play before making a spectacular one-handed catch while getting one foot down on the sideline, gaining another 29 yards.Robertson's 11-yard scoring pass to Bryson Washington came on the next play, and Robertson’s 2-point conversion run cut Baylor's deficit to 31-25.Avery Johnson, who threw for 339 yards and two TDs and ran for a score, had kept a potential clock-killing drive alive with two third-down conversions but he threw into traffic on first down in Baylor territory with the six-point lead.Redding picked off the pass, ran left up the sideline and cut back inside with the speedy Johnson pursuing to finish off the score untouched. Hawkins' PAT kick put Baylor ahead 32-31 with less than five minutes to go.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759630728864.jpeg" alt="Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) hands off the ball to Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Ronaldo Bolaños)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) hands off the ball to Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Ronaldo Bolaños)</figcaption>
 </figure>“I’d be lying if I said a couple of years ago that I’d be in this position,” Redding said. “I was running, I was like, ‘I can’t believe this is happening.’ And then I scored and I was like, ‘No flags?’ This is a dream come true.”Johnson's 12-yard scoring pass to Jayce Brown broke a 17-17 halftime tie, and the Wildcats went up two touchdowns on Dylan Edwards' 5-yard run late in the third quarter.“We did things well enough to win, but we didn’t earn the win,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “That’s why we’re walking out of here with a one-point loss and a lot of woulda, shoulda, couldas.”<h2>The takeaway</h2>Kansas State: It's the third time this season the Wildcats have led or been tied in the fourth quarter of a loss. They've had a one-score margin a nation-leading five times in six games. Three of the losses are by three points or fewer.Baylor: Robertson had two TD tosses, ending his streak of consecutive games with at least three scoring passes at five. It was the longest since Kyler Murray had eight in a row with Oklahoma in 2018. His 345 yards passing were almost right on his nation-leading average.<h2>Toasty fall Saturday</h2>The temperature approach 90 degrees late in the game on the first Saturday in October in Texas. It was on Klieman's mind. “We played a lot of guys because we had guys injured. Plus, it was hot,” the coach said.<h2>Coulda been more</h2>Besides the one-handed grab, Trigg had a leaping catch over the middle in the first half on a drive that appeared to end with him making another athletic catch in the back of the end zone. It was overturned on review, apparently because he didn't have full control. “We knew we had a mismatch nightmare on the kid,” Klieman said.

🏈 Hawkins' kick after Redding's long pick-6 helps lift Baylor past Kansas State 35-34

IOWA FALLS, Iowa — No. 1 Hutchinson (4-0) scored 21 points in the first quarter and never looked back in a 50-0 blanking of Ellsworth (2-4).

The Dragons have outscored the Panthers 170-0 going back to the fourth quarter of the 2023 matchup. After a Panther touchdown early in the fourth quarter of that contest, the Dragons have put up 170 unanswered, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/d95656e0-2309-4c36-8ca9-bfc9e750b3d0">including a 99-0 win last season</a>.

Lekedrin Harvey started the scoring for Hutchinson on 4th and goal early in the contest. He punched in the score from two yards out.

Hutchinson would score again on 4th and goal when Rashaud Hurt put the Dragons up 21-0 late in the first quarter on a three-yard run.

In between the 4th-and-goal scores, Derrick Salley Jr. scored his eighth receiving touchdown of the year after taking a quick pass from Christian Johnson in the backfield. Salley Jr. raced 50 yards for the score.

Salley Jr. finished with two receptions for 72 yards and the touchdown.

Johnson ended his day 2-of-4 for 72 yards and the touchdown pass.

Hutchinson starters only played for one-and-a-half quarters before backups took it the rest of the way.

Hudson Ferralez found Bobby Shaw III on a 29-yard pass midway through the second quarter to make the lead 28-0.

Alejandro de la Poza got his first two field-goal attempts of the season and made good on both. He hit from 39 and 32.

The Dragon defense sent the Panthers backward most of the day.

Ellsworth finished with negative-six yards of offense. The ground attack lost 63 yards.

Hutchinson's defense got its third touchdown of the year when Jawon Springs pounced on a fumble in the end zone.

Ellsworth longsnapped a ball into the crossbar for a safety when trying to punt the ball late in the fourth quarter.

Derrell McBride scored his first touchdown of the year on a 12-yard run to begin the fourth quarter.

Both teams struggled on third down. Hutchinson finished 2-of-13 while Ellsworth was 0-for-13.

Hutchinson is on the road to Dodge City next week for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 11.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759604350273.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IOWA FALLS, Iowa — No. 1 Hutchinson (4-0) scored 21 points in the first quarter and never looked back in a 50-0 blanking of Ellsworth (2-4).The Dragons have outscored the Panthers 170-0 going back to the fourth quarter of the 2023 matchup. After a Panther touchdown early in the fourth quarter of that contest, the Dragons have put up 170 unanswered, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/d95656e0-2309-4c36-8ca9-bfc9e750b3d0">including a 99-0 win last season</a>.Lekedrin Harvey started the scoring for Hutchinson on 4th and goal early in the contest. He punched in the score from two yards out.Hutchinson would score again on 4th and goal when Rashaud Hurt put the Dragons up 21-0 late in the first quarter on a three-yard run.In between the 4th-and-goal scores, Derrick Salley Jr. scored his eighth receiving touchdown of the year after taking a quick pass from Christian Johnson in the backfield. Salley Jr. raced 50 yards for the score.Salley Jr. finished with two receptions for 72 yards and the touchdown.Johnson ended his day 2-of-4 for 72 yards and the touchdown pass.Hutchinson starters only played for one-and-a-half quarters before backups took it the rest of the way.Hudson Ferralez found Bobby Shaw III on a 29-yard pass midway through the second quarter to make the lead 28-0.Alejandro de la Poza got his first two field-goal attempts of the season and made good on both. He hit from 39 and 32.The Dragon defense sent the Panthers backward most of the day.Ellsworth finished with negative-six yards of offense. The ground attack lost 63 yards.Hutchinson's defense got its third touchdown of the year when Jawon Springs pounced on a fumble in the end zone.Ellsworth longsnapped a ball into the crossbar for a safety when trying to punt the ball late in the fourth quarter.Derrell McBride scored his first touchdown of the year on a 12-yard run to begin the fourth quarter.Both teams struggled on third down. Hutchinson finished 2-of-13 while Ellsworth was 0-for-13.FINAL: Hutchinson 50 Ellsworth 0Hutchinson is on the road to Dodge City next week for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 11.

🏈 No. 1 Dragons improve to 4-0

🎧🏈 Under the Helmet with HutchCC LT Dylan Nolan-Cook

Location: Cadet Field; Iowa Falls, IA Countdown to Kickoff: 10:30 a.m. Kickoff: 11 a.m. Play-by-Play: Sean Boston; Analyst: Daren Dunn

<a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757682777246.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>No. 1 Hutchinson CC at EllsworthLocation: Cadet Field; Iowa Falls, IA Countdown to Kickoff: 10:30 a.m. Kickoff: 11 a.m. Play-by-Play: Sean Boston; Analyst: Daren Dunn<a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE</a>

🎧🏈 LISTEN LIVE: No. 1 HutchCC at Ellsworth

No. 8 Garden City vs. Community Christian (Mich.), 11 a.m. No. 1 Hutchinson at Ellsworth (Iowa), 11 a.m. Dodge City at No. 14 Iowa Central, noon Highland at Independence, 1 p.m. No. 10 Coffeyville vs. No. 2 Iowa Western, 1 p.m.

Saint Mary at Tabor, 1 p.m. No. 18 Southwestern at Avila, 1 p.m. No. 24 McPherson at Bethany, 1 p.m. Kansas Wesleyan at Evangel, 1:05 p.m. No. 6 Friends at Ottawa, 6 p.m. Sterling at Bethel, 6 p.m.

No. 21 Fort Hays State at Missouri Southern, 1 p.m. Nebraska Kearney at No. 8 Pittsburg State, 2 p.m. Emporia State at Missouri Western, 6 p.m. Central Missouri at Central Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719520416153.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>KJCCC</h2>No. 8 Garden City vs. Community Christian (Mich.), 11 a.m. No. 1 Hutchinson at Ellsworth (Iowa), 11 a.m. Dodge City at No. 14 Iowa Central, noon Highland at Independence, 1 p.m. No. 10 Coffeyville vs. No. 2 Iowa Western, 1 p.m. <h2>KCAC</h2>Saint Mary at Tabor, 1 p.m. No. 18 Southwestern at Avila, 1 p.m. No. 24 McPherson at Bethany, 1 p.m. Kansas Wesleyan at Evangel, 1:05 p.m. No. 6 Friends at Ottawa, 6 p.m. Sterling at Bethel, 6 p.m.<h2>MIAA</h2>No. 21 Fort Hays State at Missouri Southern, 1 p.m. Nebraska Kearney at No. 8 Pittsburg State, 2 p.m. Emporia State at Missouri Western, 6 p.m. Central Missouri at Central Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

🏈 KJCCC, KCAC, MIAA schedule for Oct. 4

DERBY, Kan. — Derby wide receiver Michael Castillo scored three touchdowns and the Panthers forced three interceptions in a dominant 51-7 victory over the Hutchinson Salthawks Friday night at Panther Stadium.

The Panthers (3-2) limited Hutchinson to just 98 total yards while scoring on offense, defense and special teams in their 11th straight win over the Salthawks. Quarterback Blade Clark threw three touchdown passes and added a rushing score, while Derby’s defense produced a pick-six and two more takeaways to spark the rout.

After Hutchinson (3-2) recovered a fumble on the game’s opening play, Derby’s Jaalum Jackson intercepted a pass to halt the Salthawks’ momentum. Tripp Holtzinger booted a 31-yard field goal for the early lead, and Clark extended it with a 5-yard run late in the first quarter. Clark then found Rowan Foster on a 52-yard deflected touchdown pass to push the margin to 17-0.

Hutchinson answered before halftime with a 2-yard scoring pass from Robert Hunter to Lamar Govain, trimming the deficit to 17-7. But Derby seized control with 26 unanswered points in the third quarter, highlighted by Amarion Houston’s 7-yard interception return and a 16-yard reverse touchdown by Castillo.

Castillo went on to haul in scoring passes of 23 and 29 yards from Clark, stretching Derby’s lead to 43-7. Tyler Pontious closed the scoring with an 18-yard run in the fourth quarter.

The game was marred by a brief sideline scuffle midway through the third quarter after Clark was hit late out of bounds. Four players — Two from Derby and two Hutchinson players — were ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Derby finished with 343 total yards, including 198 on the ground, while Hutchinson was held to six first downs and just 31 rushing yards.

The Panthers will travel to Valley Center on Oct. 10, while Hutchinson looks to regroup in AVCTL play by hosting Campus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759578915504.png" alt="Final - Derby 51, Hutch 7 " />
 <figcaption>Final - Derby 51, Hutch 7 </figcaption>
 </figure>DERBY, Kan. — Derby wide receiver Michael Castillo scored three touchdowns and the Panthers forced three interceptions in a dominant 51-7 victory over the Hutchinson Salthawks Friday night at Panther Stadium.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fvXUF18Qmfg?si=27jJv4kuZH5Td33H" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Panthers (3-2) limited Hutchinson to just 98 total yards while scoring on offense, defense and special teams in their 11th straight win over the Salthawks. Quarterback Blade Clark threw three touchdown passes and added a rushing score, while Derby’s defense produced a pick-six and two more takeaways to spark the rout.After Hutchinson (3-2) recovered a fumble on the game’s opening play, Derby’s Jaalum Jackson intercepted a pass to halt the Salthawks’ momentum. Tripp Holtzinger booted a 31-yard field goal for the early lead, and Clark extended it with a 5-yard run late in the first quarter. Clark then found Rowan Foster on a 52-yard deflected touchdown pass to push the margin to 17-0.Hutchinson answered before halftime with a 2-yard scoring pass from Robert Hunter to Lamar Govain, trimming the deficit to 17-7. But Derby seized control with 26 unanswered points in the third quarter, highlighted by Amarion Houston’s 7-yard interception return and a 16-yard reverse touchdown by Castillo.Castillo went on to haul in scoring passes of 23 and 29 yards from Clark, stretching Derby’s lead to 43-7. Tyler Pontious closed the scoring with an 18-yard run in the fourth quarter.The game was marred by a brief sideline scuffle midway through the third quarter after Clark was hit late out of bounds. Four players — Two from Derby and two Hutchinson players — were ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.Derby finished with 343 total yards, including 198 on the ground, while Hutchinson was held to six first downs and just 31 rushing yards.The Panthers will travel to Valley Center on Oct. 10, while Hutchinson looks to regroup in AVCTL play by hosting Campus.Score by quarters
Hutchinson 0 7 0 0 — 7
Derby 10 7 26 8 — 51

🏈🎥 Derby uses strong 3rd quarter to rout Hutch High 

Wamego 27, 4A No. 3 Buhler 14 8M-II No. 5 Central Christian 46, St. Paul 0 &nbsp;Argonia-Attica 48, Fairfield 18 Minneapolis 40, Halstead 21 Garden Plain 15, Haven 14 Hesston 51, Smoky Valley0 Derby 51, Hutchinson 7 Inman 53, Marion 30 8M-I No. 2 Little River 68, Canton-Galva 0 Southeast of Saline 73, Lyons 7 McPherson 37, Rose Hill 35 Moundridge 33, Whitewater-Remington 0 Salina Central 42, Newton 0 3A No. 1 Andale 45, Nickerson 3 Pratt 35, Wichita Collegiate 0 Oxford 46, Pratt-Skyline 0 Pretty Prairie (0-4) at Norwich (0-4) 1A No. 2 Sterling 47, Medicine Lodge 0 Trinity Catholic 40, Conway Springs 0

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1724708918205855%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Wamego 27, 4A No. 3 Buhler 14 8M-II No. 5 Central Christian 46, St. Paul 0 &nbsp;Argonia-Attica 48, Fairfield 18 Minneapolis 40, Halstead 21 Garden Plain 15, Haven 14 Hesston 51, Smoky Valley0 Derby 51, Hutchinson 7 Inman 53, Marion 30 8M-I No. 2 Little River 68, Canton-Galva 0 Southeast of Saline 73, Lyons 7 McPherson 37, Rose Hill 35 Moundridge 33, Whitewater-Remington 0 Salina Central 42, Newton 0 3A No. 1 Andale 45, Nickerson 3 Pratt 35, Wichita Collegiate 0 Oxford 46, Pratt-Skyline 0 Pretty Prairie (0-4) at Norwich (0-4) 1A No. 2 Sterling 47, Medicine Lodge 0 Trinity Catholic 40, Conway Springs 0

🏈 Week 5 Hutch Post high school football scoreboard

The Hutchinson Community College football team's 42-day road trip continues on Saturday with a second-straight trip to the state of Iowa.

The No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons (3-0) play their final non-conference contest against the Ellsworth Panthers (2-3) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cadet Field in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and on sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 10:30 a.m. with Sean Boston (PBP) and Daren Dunn (color) calling the action. The game will be streamed live on the Blue Dragon Sports Network beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Coming off their first of two bye weeks last Saturday, the Blue Dragons last played on September 28 and defeated No. 9 Iowa Central 35-17 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Before the Blue Dragons play again at Gowans Stadium in October 18, they have road games at Ellsworth and Dodge City before then. Again, the 42 days between home games is the longest stretch between home games in program history.

Two weeks ago, Blue Dragon quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2025-26/bios/johnson_christian_b2h0">Christian Johnson</a>&nbsp;threw four touchdown passes, three to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2025-26/bios/salley_jr._derrick_8ftn">Derrick Salley Jr.</a>&nbsp;as the Blue Dragons broke a 14-all tie with 4 minutes to play in the third quarter. Defensively,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2025-26/bios/wiley_darius_xg0z">Darius Wiley</a>&nbsp;(11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 quarterback sacks) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2025-26/bios/haines_teegan_n109">Teegan Haines</a>&nbsp;(15 tackles) led a Dragon defense that rolled up 16 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks.

An improved Ellsworth team had a tough battle last week in Iowa Falls, losing to No. 8 Garden City 66-10. Two weeks ago, the Panthers defeated Highland 41-38. That was Ellsworth's first KJCCC/Iowa Alliance victory since September 14, 2019, a streak of 36 games.

Last season, the Blue Dragons tied an NJCAA scoring record, defeating Ellsworth 99-0 on September 28, 2024 at Gowans Stadium, Hutchinson's sixth-straight win in the series.

The Blue Dragons out-gained Ellsworth 583-100, including 460 yards on the ground led by eventual NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year, Waymond Jordan, Jr., who had 175 yards on nine carries and four touchdowns.

Entering play on Saturday, Salley is the nation's leader in touchdown receptions with seven and is third in yards per game and yards per reception at 108.7 and 21.7 yards, respectively. Johnson leads the nation in completion percentage at 71.0 percent.

Defensively, safety M.J. Graham leads the nation with four interceptions. Haines is second in the NJCAA in tackles per game (11.0).

Now 2-0 in the KJCCC/Iowa Scheduling Alliance this season, the Dragons are now 27-8 since the Alliance started in 2014.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759504286241.jpeg" alt="D.J. Jester and the Blue Dragon Football team travel to play the Ellsworth Panthers at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Cadet Field in Iowa Falls, Iowa." />
 <figcaption>D.J. Jester and the Blue Dragon Football team travel to play the Ellsworth Panthers at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Cadet Field in Iowa Falls, Iowa.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationThe Hutchinson Community College football team's 42-day road trip continues on Saturday with a second-straight trip to the state of Iowa.The No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons (3-0) play their final non-conference contest against the Ellsworth Panthers (2-3) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cadet Field in Iowa Falls, Iowa.The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and on sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 10:30 a.m. with Sean Boston (PBP) and Daren Dunn (color) calling the action. The game will be streamed live on the Blue Dragon Sports Network beginning at 10:30 a.m.<div>BLUE DRAGON FOOTBALL No. 1 Hutchinson (3-0) at Ellsworth (2-3) When: Saturday, October 4, 2025 Where: Cadet Field, Iowa Falls, Iowa Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. Radio:&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KHUT-FM (102.9); KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5), 10:30 a.m. - Sean Boston (PBP); Daren Dunn (Color)</a> Video:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kjcccsports.net/hutchcc/?B=2859235">Blue Dragon Sports Network, 10:30 a.m.</a> X: @bluedragonsport</div>Coming off their first of two bye weeks last Saturday, the Blue Dragons last played on September 28 and defeated No. 9 Iowa Central 35-17 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Before the Blue Dragons play again at Gowans Stadium in October 18, they have road games at Ellsworth and Dodge City before then. Again, the 42 days between home games is the longest stretch between home games in program history.Two weeks ago, Blue Dragon quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2025-26/bios/johnson_christian_b2h0">Christian Johnson</a>&nbsp;threw four touchdown passes, three to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2025-26/bios/salley_jr._derrick_8ftn">Derrick Salley Jr.</a>&nbsp;as the Blue Dragons broke a 14-all tie with 4 minutes to play in the third quarter. Defensively,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2025-26/bios/wiley_darius_xg0z">Darius Wiley</a>&nbsp;(11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 quarterback sacks) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2025-26/bios/haines_teegan_n109">Teegan Haines</a>&nbsp;(15 tackles) led a Dragon defense that rolled up 16 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks.An improved Ellsworth team had a tough battle last week in Iowa Falls, losing to No. 8 Garden City 66-10. Two weeks ago, the Panthers defeated Highland 41-38. That was Ellsworth's first KJCCC/Iowa Alliance victory since September 14, 2019, a streak of 36 games.Last season, the Blue Dragons tied an NJCAA scoring record, defeating Ellsworth 99-0 on September 28, 2024 at Gowans Stadium, Hutchinson's sixth-straight win in the series.The Blue Dragons out-gained Ellsworth 583-100, including 460 yards on the ground led by eventual NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year, Waymond Jordan, Jr., who had 175 yards on nine carries and four touchdowns.Entering play on Saturday, Salley is the nation's leader in touchdown receptions with seven and is third in yards per game and yards per reception at 108.7 and 21.7 yards, respectively. Johnson leads the nation in completion percentage at 71.0 percent.Defensively, safety M.J. Graham leads the nation with four interceptions. Haines is second in the NJCAA in tackles per game (11.0).Now 2-0 in the KJCCC/Iowa Scheduling Alliance this season, the Dragons are now 27-8 since the Alliance started in 2014.&nbsp;

🏈 No. 1 Dragons back to action Saturday at Ellsworth

DERBY, Kan. — The Hutchinson Salthawks return to to the road tonight as they travel to Derby to take on the Panthers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Hutchinson (3-1) comes in off a hard-fought lwin over Salina South while Derby (2-2) is looking fto bounce back after falling late to Maize last week.

Fans can tune in starting at 6 p.m. with the Kansas Kickoff Show from Kpreps and Sports in Kansas, followed at 6:30 p.m. by the Salthawk Pregame Show presented by Papa John’s Pizza.

The award-winning EAGLE Media sportscast crew will have the call, with Glen Grunwald on play-by-play, Dan “Coach Nac” Naccarato providing analysis, and Matt Peterson producing the video stream on the Hutch High Hudl channel beginning at 6:50 p.m

&nbsp; Fans can catch the game on KWBW 1450 AM/98.5 FM, with audio streaming on kwbwradio.com and pay-per-view video streaming on hutchpost.com as well as on the Hutch High Hudl.com channel beginning at 6:50pm. CL<a href="https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ks/hutchinson/organization/8/hutchinson-high-school/watch?b=QnJvYWRjYXN0Mjc1MTM2OQ%3D%3D">ICK HERE!</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759374939749.png" alt="Game Day - Hurxh High @ Derby Panthers tonight at 7pm." />
 <figcaption>Game Day - Hurxh High @ Derby Panthers tonight at 7pm.</figcaption>
 </figure>DERBY, Kan. — The Hutchinson Salthawks return to to the road tonight as they travel to Derby to take on the Panthers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.Hutchinson (3-1) comes in off a hard-fought lwin over Salina South while Derby (2-2) is looking fto bounce back after falling late to Maize last week.Fans can tune in starting at 6 p.m. with the Kansas Kickoff Show from Kpreps and Sports in Kansas, followed at 6:30 p.m. by the Salthawk Pregame Show presented by Papa John’s Pizza.The award-winning EAGLE Media sportscast crew will have the call, with Glen Grunwald on play-by-play, Dan “Coach Nac” Naccarato providing analysis, and Matt Peterson producing the video stream on the Hutch High Hudl channel beginning at 6:50 p.m&nbsp; Fans can catch the game on KWBW 1450 AM/98.5 FM, with audio streaming on kwbwradio.com and pay-per-view video streaming on hutchpost.com as well as on the Hutch High Hudl.com channel beginning at 6:50pm. CL<a href="https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ks/hutchinson/organization/8/hutchinson-high-school/watch?b=QnJvYWRjYXN0Mjc1MTM2OQ%3D%3D">ICK HERE!</a><div><iframe src="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2838009?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏈🎥🎧 Hutchinson travels to Derby for key AVCTL matchup

All games kickoff at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted

4A No. 3 Buhler (3-1) at Wamego (2-2) 8M-II No. 5 Central Christian (4-0) vs. St. Paul (2-2) Fairfield (1-3) vs. Argonia-Attica (3-1) Halstead (1-3) vs. Minneapolis (2-2) Haven (4-0) at Garden Plain (3-1) Hesston (3-1) at Smoky Valley (2-2) Hutchinson (3-1) at Derby (2-2) Inman (3-1) at Marion (4-0) 8M-I No. 2 Little River (4-0) vs. Canton-Galva (2-2) Lyons (0-4) vs. 2A No. 1 Southeast of Saline (4-0) McPherson (3-1) vs. Rose Hill (2-2) Moundridge (3-1) at Whitewater-Remington (1-3) Newton (0-4) vs. Salina Central (4-0) Nickerson (0-4) vs. 3A No. 1 Andale (4-0) Pratt (3-1) vs. Wichita Collegiate (2-2) Pratt-Skyline (4-0) at Oxford (3-0) Pretty Prairie (0-4) at Norwich (0-4) 1A No. 2 Sterling (4-0) vs. Medicine Lodge (2-2) Trinity Catholic (3-1) vs. Conway Springs (1-3)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719520482079.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>All games kickoff at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted4A No. 3 Buhler (3-1) at Wamego (2-2) 8M-II No. 5 Central Christian (4-0) vs. St. Paul (2-2) Fairfield (1-3) vs. Argonia-Attica (3-1) Halstead (1-3) vs. Minneapolis (2-2) Haven (4-0) at Garden Plain (3-1) Hesston (3-1) at Smoky Valley (2-2) Hutchinson (3-1) at Derby (2-2) Inman (3-1) at Marion (4-0) 8M-I No. 2 Little River (4-0) vs. Canton-Galva (2-2) Lyons (0-4) vs. 2A No. 1 Southeast of Saline (4-0) McPherson (3-1) vs. Rose Hill (2-2) Moundridge (3-1) at Whitewater-Remington (1-3) Newton (0-4) vs. Salina Central (4-0) Nickerson (0-4) vs. 3A No. 1 Andale (4-0) Pratt (3-1) vs. Wichita Collegiate (2-2) Pratt-Skyline (4-0) at Oxford (3-0) Pretty Prairie (0-4) at Norwich (0-4) 1A No. 2 Sterling (4-0) vs. Medicine Lodge (2-2) Trinity Catholic (3-1) vs. Conway Springs (1-3)

🏈 Week 5 Hutch Post area high school football schedule

🎧🏈 High school Week 5 matchups and previews; 🏈 HutchCC, KU and K-State play Saturday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757384001940.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas City Royals
&nbsp;
KANSAS CITY, Mo.&mdash;Today, the&nbsp;Bob Feller&nbsp;Act of Valor Award Foundation announced Royals outfielder&nbsp;Mike Yastrzemski&nbsp;as an honoree of the prestigious Bob Feller Act of Valor Award for the 2025 season. The award honors the legacy of National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, who made the selfless decision to put his career in Major League Baseball on hold to serve our country. The honorees selected possess the values, integrity and dedication to serving our country that Feller himself displayed. Yastrzemski is the first Royals player to win this award. He will be honored during the 13th Annual Bob Feller Act Of Valor Awards Ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">&ldquo;I&rsquo;m incredibly honored to win the Bob Feller award,&rdquo; said Yastrzemski. &ldquo;To win an award that remembers and honors such an incredible story and human is truly humbling and is very special for me and my family. I have had the pleasure of working with the veteran community for several years, and listening to their stories and being able to interact with them has been life changing. It has brought a new appreciation to my family and I for the lives that we are able to live because of the sacrifices they and their families have made.&rdquo;</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">Throughout his career, Yastrzemski has been a strong advocate and supporter for our military Veterans and mental health awareness.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">In 2022, Yaz started the Mustache May campaign to lighten the mood for himself and his teammates while going through a rough patch on the field. Mustache May recognizes the mental struggles associated with the baseball profession and brings awareness to the resources available to players and fans alike.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">With a personal connection to the military and Veterans and the increased need for mental health services for these groups, Yaz&rsquo;s goal for Mustache May is to promote and prioritize mental health in active duty, Veteran, and civilian communities and create a world where mental health is discussed openly and freely.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">Proceeds from Yastrzemski&rsquo;s Mustache May merchandise supports the Heart and Armor Foundation, which aims to protect the health of Veterans and connect civilians to the experience of military service, specifically with their research and programs around mental wellness.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">Yaz routinely hosts Veterans and their families from Heart &amp; Armor and other Veteran organizations at the ballpark, building personal relationships during meet-and-greets and dynamic conversations around mental health. Early in the 2025 season, Yaz hosted a 102-year-old WWII Veteran and TikTok influencer&nbsp;&ldquo;Papa Jake&rdquo; Larson, who threw out the first pitch at Oracle Park.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">During Mustache May, Yaz and the Giants hosted a military care package assembly event, putting together 300 care packages to send to troops overseas. May is only one month, but Yastrzemski&rsquo;s efforts never end, as he continues to be a leader on and off the field, continues to recognize the struggles that many people (including professional players) go through, and constantly reminds everyone: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s important to check in and care for your homies!&rdquo;</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">Yastrzemski played in 146 games in 2025, splitting the season between San Francisco (96 games) and Kansas City (50), after he was acquired by the Royals at the Trade Deadline. Across his 50 games with the Royals, he recorded 23 extra-base hits and 18 RBI while drawing more walks (25) than strikeouts (22). He also set a franchise record with 4 leadoff home runs in a month, as his 4 in August surpassed the previous record of 3 in a month, shared by&nbsp;Alex Gordon&nbsp;(Aug. 2012) and&nbsp;Johnny Damon&nbsp;(Sept. 1998). Mike is the grandson of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer&nbsp;Carl Yastrzemski.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">This year&rsquo;s program recognizes recipients from the military and Major League Baseball in seven categories:</div>
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<ol start="1" data-editing-info="{&quot;applyListStyleFromLevel&quot;:false,&quot;orderedStyleType&quot;:1}">
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="">&ensp;National Baseball Hall of Fame Award -&nbsp;Rollie Fingers, National BBHOF Inductee 1992</div>
</li>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="">&ensp;Major League Baseball Award -&nbsp;Mike Yastrzemski, Outfielder, Kansas City Royals</div>
</li>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="">&ensp;United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Award - GSMC&nbsp;Ollie E. Dunlap IV, USN</div>
</li>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="">&ensp;United States Marine Corps&nbsp;Jerry Coleman&nbsp;Award - Gunnery Sergeant&nbsp;Paul A. Luna, USMC</div>
</li>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="">&ensp;Morale, Welfare, Recreation Award - USS DECATUR (DDG 73) Volunteer Committee</div>
</li>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="">&ensp;Bob Feller Act of Valor Patriot Award -&nbsp;Rick Monday, 19-year MLB veteran with KC/Oakland A&rsquo;s, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, and a United States Marine Corps Veteran</div>
</li>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="">&ensp;Bob Feller Fellowship Award -&nbsp;Caitlin Omey, a Fordham University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religious Studies. Caitlin commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and Naval Flight Officer in May 2025.</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">Previous Major League Baseball player recipients include&nbsp;Byron Buxton,&nbsp;Sean Doolittle,&nbsp;Jon Gray,&nbsp;Griffin Jax,&nbsp;Ian Kennedy,&nbsp;Jonathan Lucroy,&nbsp;Darren O&rsquo;Day,&nbsp;Sean Reid-Foley,&nbsp;Craig Stammen,&nbsp;Nick Swisher,&nbsp;Justin Verlander&nbsp;and&nbsp;Brad Ziegler.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-ogsc="black">To learn more about the BFAOV Foundation, visit&nbsp;<a id="LPlnk534726" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="http://www.actofvaloraward.org" href="http://www.actofvaloraward.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">www.actofvaloraward.org</a>.</div>
&nbsp;</div>

⚾ Royals outfielder Mike Yastrzemski named 2025 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award recipient

By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

HAVEN, Kan. — For the second straight season, Haven High School has opened 4-0. But unlike last year’s quick start that ended with a loss to Garden Plain, this year’s Wildcats are looking to rewrite the script, and perhaps make history.

Haven hasn’t started 5-0 since 1985, when it rattled off nine straight wins before falling to Larned in the Class 4A Bi-District round of the playoffs. On Friday, the Wildcats travel to Garden Plain (3-1) with first place in Class 2A District 5 on the line.

Co-head coaches Drew Thalmann and Thomas Cooprider are in their seventh season guiding the Wildcats, posting a 36-25 record while splitting duties, Thalmann handling the offense and Cooprider the defense. Both say this year’s group has embraced the challenge of replacing last year’s senior trio of Van Loop, Aiden Hoopes and Nash Wray, who combined for 41 of the team’s 51 touchdowns.

That production has been filled by a breakout sophomore and a steady junior presence. Running back Cole Brawner has emerged as one of the top backs in Class 2A, rushing for 635 yards and eight touchdowns on 96 carries through four games, averaging 158.8 yards per game. Quarterback Brogan Wray, Nash’s younger brother, has completed 65 percent of his passes (36 of 55) for 464 yards and six touchdowns. He has also added 157 rushing yards and four scores, giving him 10 total TDs this season.

“Cole’s done a nice job stepping in at tailback, he had over 200 yards last week against Douglass,” Thalmann said. “Brogan has been running our offense since middle school, so he’s comfortable. He’s different than Nash, but dangerous in his own way.”

The passing game has leaned on two juniors: Kolton Altvater, who leads the team with 13 receptions for 185 yards and four touchdowns, and Zade Turner, who has caught nine passes for 162 yards and two scores. Senior Jaxson Wilder adds balance with seven catches for 87 yards.

That group has produced 465 passing yards, 804 rushing yards and 470 receiving yards across four games, averaging more than 317 yards of total offense per game. Haven has scored at least 26 points in every outing, with wins over Hillsboro (26-12), Nickerson (44-7), Smoky Valley (38-6) and Douglass (31-20).

Much of that success starts up front. Seniors Aaron Logan and Jacob Myers, along with 6-foot-3, 285-pound junior Cody Holzrichter, a returning All-League selection, anchor an offensive line that has opened lanes and kept Wray protected.

“Somebody asked if our offensive line was the catalyst of our offense, and I think that’s true,” Thalmann said. “They’re making holes for Cole and keeping Brogan upright. They’ve been excellent.”

Defensively, Haven has been just as strong, allowing only 49 points all season. Senior linebacker Grant Patry, a returning All-State selection, made his season debut in Week 4 after knee surgery and recorded a sack on his second play back.

Patry joins Wilder, Marks and Brawner in a defense that has racked up 28 tackles for loss in four games. Brawner and sophomore John Williams share the team lead with 30 tackles apiece, while Wilder has 29. Senior lineman Brock Marks and Myers each have a sack, and freshman Alexander Hall added another.

Haven’s secondary has been especially opportunistic, recording eight interceptions through four games. Wray leads the team with three, while Brawner and Altvater each have two. Senior Chris Barrientos has one.

“Effort is unbelievable this year,” Cooprider said. “We’ve only had to run pursuit drill maybe twice all season. These guys fly around, hit people, and believe in what we’re doing.”

For Cooprider, the goal has been more than another hot start, it’s about sustaining success.

“We’ve had good seasons before, but we’ve never followed them with another good one,” he said. “We challenged this group to be the one that breaks that trend, and so far they’ve risen to it.”

Friday’s matchup with Garden Plain offers a chance to prove it. The Owls ended Haven’s 4-0 start last fall with a decisive win, and they’ve once again positioned themselves as a district contender.

“Garden Plain is always technically sound,” Thalmann said. “They’re physical, talented and disciplined. These games show us where we’re at. We’d like to get over the hump one of these days.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Garden Plain. A win would give Haven its first 5-0 start in four decades, and keep the Wildcats’ climb back to the top very much alive.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759372927979.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kristy Ehart Photography" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kristy Ehart Photography</figcaption>
 </figure>By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch PostHAVEN, Kan. — For the second straight season, Haven High School has opened 4-0. But unlike last year’s quick start that ended with a loss to Garden Plain, this year’s Wildcats are looking to rewrite the script, and perhaps make history.Haven hasn’t started 5-0 since 1985, when it rattled off nine straight wins before falling to Larned in the Class 4A Bi-District round of the playoffs. On Friday, the Wildcats travel to Garden Plain (3-1) with first place in Class 2A District 5 on the line.Co-head coaches Drew Thalmann and Thomas Cooprider are in their seventh season guiding the Wildcats, posting a 36-25 record while splitting duties, Thalmann handling the offense and Cooprider the defense. Both say this year’s group has embraced the challenge of replacing last year’s senior trio of Van Loop, Aiden Hoopes and Nash Wray, who combined for 41 of the team’s 51 touchdowns.That production has been filled by a breakout sophomore and a steady junior presence. Running back Cole Brawner has emerged as one of the top backs in Class 2A, rushing for 635 yards and eight touchdowns on 96 carries through four games, averaging 158.8 yards per game. Quarterback Brogan Wray, Nash’s younger brother, has completed 65 percent of his passes (36 of 55) for 464 yards and six touchdowns. He has also added 157 rushing yards and four scores, giving him 10 total TDs this season.“Cole’s done a nice job stepping in at tailback, he had over 200 yards last week against Douglass,” Thalmann said. “Brogan has been running our offense since middle school, so he’s comfortable. He’s different than Nash, but dangerous in his own way.”The passing game has leaned on two juniors: Kolton Altvater, who leads the team with 13 receptions for 185 yards and four touchdowns, and Zade Turner, who has caught nine passes for 162 yards and two scores. Senior Jaxson Wilder adds balance with seven catches for 87 yards.That group has produced 465 passing yards, 804 rushing yards and 470 receiving yards across four games, averaging more than 317 yards of total offense per game. Haven has scored at least 26 points in every outing, with wins over Hillsboro (26-12), Nickerson (44-7), Smoky Valley (38-6) and Douglass (31-20).Much of that success starts up front. Seniors Aaron Logan and Jacob Myers, along with 6-foot-3, 285-pound junior Cody Holzrichter, a returning All-League selection, anchor an offensive line that has opened lanes and kept Wray protected.“Somebody asked if our offensive line was the catalyst of our offense, and I think that’s true,” Thalmann said. “They’re making holes for Cole and keeping Brogan upright. They’ve been excellent.”Defensively, Haven has been just as strong, allowing only 49 points all season. Senior linebacker Grant Patry, a returning All-State selection, made his season debut in Week 4 after knee surgery and recorded a sack on his second play back.Patry joins Wilder, Marks and Brawner in a defense that has racked up 28 tackles for loss in four games. Brawner and sophomore John Williams share the team lead with 30 tackles apiece, while Wilder has 29. Senior lineman Brock Marks and Myers each have a sack, and freshman Alexander Hall added another.Haven’s secondary has been especially opportunistic, recording eight interceptions through four games. Wray leads the team with three, while Brawner and Altvater each have two. Senior Chris Barrientos has one.“Effort is unbelievable this year,” Cooprider said. “We’ve only had to run pursuit drill maybe twice all season. These guys fly around, hit people, and believe in what we’re doing.”For Cooprider, the goal has been more than another hot start, it’s about sustaining success.“We’ve had good seasons before, but we’ve never followed them with another good one,” he said. “We challenged this group to be the one that breaks that trend, and so far they’ve risen to it.”Friday’s matchup with Garden Plain offers a chance to prove it. The Owls ended Haven’s 4-0 start last fall with a decisive win, and they’ve once again positioned themselves as a district contender.“Garden Plain is always technically sound,” Thalmann said. “They’re physical, talented and disciplined. These games show us where we’re at. We’d like to get over the hump one of these days.”Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Garden Plain. A win would give Haven its first 5-0 start in four decades, and keep the Wildcats’ climb back to the top very much alive.

🏈 Haven seeks revenge on Garden Plain, first 5-0 start in 40 years

NICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson High School celebrated a milestone Thursday with a ribbon-cutting for its renovated weight room, a project years in the making and one school leaders say represents a larger commitment to the success of student-athletes.

The space was gutted this summer after the Panthers’ strength program concluded its final workout. Old flooring and racks were removed and relocated to Reno Valley Middle School, giving younger athletes their own six-rack training facility. Panther Pride, the school’s booster club, repainted the room and helped give it what head football coach Parker Bruce called a “face lift.” New LED lighting, flooring and racks followed, transforming the space into a brighter and more functional facility.

“Anything worthwhile is going to take a long process,” Bruce said. “It’s been a little longer than what we wanted, but now seeing it in person, it’s totally worth it.”

Bruce said seeing the reactions from students when they walked into the weight room for the first time Thursday morning at the school assembly underscored the project’s importance.

“It’s just awesome to know, for them to know, and for us to know that they know that there is an investment into their success and to the process of success,” he said. “A lot of people think it’s just a football thing. It’s every athlete, every student in here that comes through our weight room will be able to use this facility and be able to use this equipment.”

Athletic director Devin Maxwell, a Nickerson graduate, said the project represents how far the school has come since his own high school days.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Maxwell said. “It’s been nice to see the change from when I was here in high school to what it is now, and just the investment everything. It’s nice to show the kids like, hey, we believe in you. We trust in you. Let’s get things changed and get things moving.”

Maxwell has reshaped the athletic department since taking over, hiring a mix of experienced leaders and young coaches to rebuild programs across the board. That includes bringing in Bruce for football, Trish Wade in volleyball, Terrence Williams in boys basketball and Kelly Cannon in softball.

“I truly believe in the school and the kids, and truly believe that we are better than what we have been in the past, and all it takes is just coaches and people to believe in the kids so they can believe in themselves,” Maxwell said.

Both Bruce and Maxwell said the updated facility is only the beginning. The project signals to students that they are supported and that the school’s culture is shifting toward higher standards.

“It’s fun to see the excitement,” Maxwell said. “I’m hoping that the excitement builds and continues to build, and they can get in there and they know, I mean, that we believe in them, and that they can just do big things.”

Maxwell added that more upgrades could be ahead as the school continues investing in its athletic infrastructure.

“Hopefully, I mean, we start to change the culture to a winning culture, and one that we can be proud of, back to how I truly believe we could be,” he said. “Hopefully some more investment into, there’s talks of renovating the concession stand and things like that.”

For Bruce, the weight room is more than racks and flooring. It’s a visible sign to athletes and the community that Nickerson is committed to restoring tradition and pride.

“This shows people want them to succeed and wanting them to get better,” he said. “It’s just all around great.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759413576954.jpeg" alt="Nickerson High School showcased its new weight room during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The renovated facility features updated equipment and school branding to support student-athletes. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Nickerson High School showcased its new weight room during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The renovated facility features updated equipment and school branding to support student-athletes. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch PostNICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson High School celebrated a milestone Thursday with a ribbon-cutting for its renovated weight room, a project years in the making and one school leaders say represents a larger commitment to the success of student-athletes.The space was gutted this summer after the Panthers’ strength program concluded its final workout. Old flooring and racks were removed and relocated to Reno Valley Middle School, giving younger athletes their own six-rack training facility. Panther Pride, the school’s booster club, repainted the room and helped give it what head football coach Parker Bruce called a “face lift.” New LED lighting, flooring and racks followed, transforming the space into a brighter and more functional facility.“Anything worthwhile is going to take a long process,” Bruce said. “It’s been a little longer than what we wanted, but now seeing it in person, it’s totally worth it.”Bruce said seeing the reactions from students when they walked into the weight room for the first time Thursday morning at the school assembly underscored the project’s importance.“It’s just awesome to know, for them to know, and for us to know that they know that there is an investment into their success and to the process of success,” he said. “A lot of people think it’s just a football thing. It’s every athlete, every student in here that comes through our weight room will be able to use this facility and be able to use this equipment.”Athletic director Devin Maxwell, a Nickerson graduate, said the project represents how far the school has come since his own high school days.“It’s been a long time coming,” Maxwell said. “It’s been nice to see the change from when I was here in high school to what it is now, and just the investment everything. It’s nice to show the kids like, hey, we believe in you. We trust in you. Let’s get things changed and get things moving.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759413606994.jpeg" alt="Nickerson High School showcased its new weight room during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The renovated facility features updated equipment and school branding to support student-athletes. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Nickerson High School showcased its new weight room during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The renovated facility features updated equipment and school branding to support student-athletes. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>Maxwell has reshaped the athletic department since taking over, hiring a mix of experienced leaders and young coaches to rebuild programs across the board. That includes bringing in Bruce for football, Trish Wade in volleyball, Terrence Williams in boys basketball and Kelly Cannon in softball.“I truly believe in the school and the kids, and truly believe that we are better than what we have been in the past, and all it takes is just coaches and people to believe in the kids so they can believe in themselves,” Maxwell said.Both Bruce and Maxwell said the updated facility is only the beginning. The project signals to students that they are supported and that the school’s culture is shifting toward higher standards.“It’s fun to see the excitement,” Maxwell said. “I’m hoping that the excitement builds and continues to build, and they can get in there and they know, I mean, that we believe in them, and that they can just do big things.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759415958552.jpeg" alt="Nickerson High School showcased its new weight room during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The renovated facility features updated equipment and school branding to support student-athletes. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Nickerson High School showcased its new weight room during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The renovated facility features updated equipment and school branding to support student-athletes. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>Maxwell added that more upgrades could be ahead as the school continues investing in its athletic infrastructure.“Hopefully, I mean, we start to change the culture to a winning culture, and one that we can be proud of, back to how I truly believe we could be,” he said. “Hopefully some more investment into, there’s talks of renovating the concession stand and things like that.”For Bruce, the weight room is more than racks and flooring. It’s a visible sign to athletes and the community that Nickerson is committed to restoring tradition and pride.“This shows people want them to succeed and wanting them to get better,” he said. “It’s just all around great.”

‘A long time coming’: Nickerson celebrates new weight room

🎧⚾Wild Card game 2 finaks; ⚽HCC Women down Barton; 🏐HCC Women fall to Butler

Sophomore Beatrice Salas scored her first career goal and freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/puccinelli_isabela_fmo3">Isabela Puccinelli</a>&nbsp;returned to the lineup to dish out a pair of assists as the Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team earned a 2-0 KJCCC victory over the Barton Cougars to complete the first half of conference play on Wednesday at the Salthawk Soccer Complex.

The Blue Dragons snapped a two-match winless streak to improve to 6-2-1 overall and 3-2-1 (10 points in the KJCCC. Hutchinson travels to play No. 6 Cowley on Saturday in Arkansas City. Barton is now 6-5-0 overall and 3-4-0 (nine points) in the league.

Battling through a tightly contested scoreless draw in the first half, but Blue Dragons scored first just 4 minutes into the second half.

Puccinelli fired a low shot from 18 yards out that Barton goalkeeper Leonie Chambe made a save on, but the rebound caromed off to her left right to Salas, who hammered the loose ball home for a 1-0 lead with 41 minutes to play in the second half. Missing half of her freshman season to injury in 2023, Salas scored her first career goal, which turned into her first game-winning goal.

With 24:54 remaining the second half, the Blue Dragons got a big insurance goal. Puccinelli feathered a pass through to the foot of&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/smith_poppy_opqw">Poppy Smith</a>, who drew the Barton keeper to her and then scored to the lower right corner of the goal for a 2-0 lead.

The Blue Dragon defense was equal to the task in protecting the shutout.

Freshman goalkeeper&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/carvell_evie_w1nf">Evie Carvell</a>&nbsp;tied a season high with six saves. Her most important save came in the second half in the 62nd minute when Carvell's save of a point-blank shot of Ayaka Nagano preserved Hutchinson's 1-0 lead at the time.

Carvell is now 4-1-1 with her second shutout of the season.

Barton out-shot Hutchinson 15-12. Each team had three corner kicks.

GAME NOTES&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/puccinelli_isabela_fmo3">Isabela Puccinelli</a>&nbsp;had a season-high two assists. She has assists in three-straight games and has scored at least one point in 5 of 7 games played. …&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/smith_poppy_opqw">Poppy Smith</a>&nbsp;scored her seventh goal of the season. … The Blue Dragons are now 22-7-5 all-time against Barton with 18 shutouts. … Wednesday's shutout was the 193rd shutout in Blue Dragon history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759402183914.jpeg" alt="Blue Dragon sophomore Beatrice Salas reacts after scoring her first career goal, which turned out to be the game-winning goal, in the Blue Dragons' 2-0 KJCCC win over Barton on Wednesday at the Salthawk Soccer Complex. (Sydney Holzrichter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)." />
 <figcaption>Blue Dragon sophomore Beatrice Salas reacts after scoring her first career goal, which turned out to be the game-winning goal, in the Blue Dragons' 2-0 KJCCC win over Barton on Wednesday at the Salthawk Soccer Complex. (Sydney Holzrichter/Blue Dragon Sports Information).</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationSophomore Beatrice Salas scored her first career goal and freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/puccinelli_isabela_fmo3">Isabela Puccinelli</a>&nbsp;returned to the lineup to dish out a pair of assists as the Hutchinson Community College women's soccer team earned a 2-0 KJCCC victory over the Barton Cougars to complete the first half of conference play on Wednesday at the Salthawk Soccer Complex.The Blue Dragons snapped a two-match winless streak to improve to 6-2-1 overall and 3-2-1 (10 points in the KJCCC. Hutchinson travels to play No. 6 Cowley on Saturday in Arkansas City. Barton is now 6-5-0 overall and 3-4-0 (nine points) in the league.Battling through a tightly contested scoreless draw in the first half, but Blue Dragons scored first just 4 minutes into the second half.Puccinelli fired a low shot from 18 yards out that Barton goalkeeper Leonie Chambe made a save on, but the rebound caromed off to her left right to Salas, who hammered the loose ball home for a 1-0 lead with 41 minutes to play in the second half. Missing half of her freshman season to injury in 2023, Salas scored her first career goal, which turned into her first game-winning goal.With 24:54 remaining the second half, the Blue Dragons got a big insurance goal. Puccinelli feathered a pass through to the foot of&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/smith_poppy_opqw">Poppy Smith</a>, who drew the Barton keeper to her and then scored to the lower right corner of the goal for a 2-0 lead.The Blue Dragon defense was equal to the task in protecting the shutout.Freshman goalkeeper&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/carvell_evie_w1nf">Evie Carvell</a>&nbsp;tied a season high with six saves. Her most important save came in the second half in the 62nd minute when Carvell's save of a point-blank shot of Ayaka Nagano preserved Hutchinson's 1-0 lead at the time.Carvell is now 4-1-1 with her second shutout of the season.Chambe had seven saves for the Cougars.Barton out-shot Hutchinson 15-12. Each team had three corner kicks.GAME NOTES&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/puccinelli_isabela_fmo3">Isabela Puccinelli</a>&nbsp;had a season-high two assists. She has assists in three-straight games and has scored at least one point in 5 of 7 games played. …&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wsoc/2025-26/bios/smith_poppy_opqw">Poppy Smith</a>&nbsp;scored her seventh goal of the season. … The Blue Dragons are now 22-7-5 all-time against Barton with 18 shutouts. … Wednesday's shutout was the 193rd shutout in Blue Dragon history.

⚽ HutchCC blanks Barton

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/villanueva_alondra_w1k3">Alondra Villanueva</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/vazquez_lauren_ysnb">Lauren Vazquez</a>&nbsp;combined for 51 kills to lead the Hutchinson Community College volleyball team in its Jayhawk Conference home matchup against Butler on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

But after capturing the first two sets, the Blue Dragons dropped the final three sets by a total of seven points in a 3-2 loss to the Grizzlies.

Hutchinson is now 11-12 overall and 3-5 in the Jayhawk. The Blue Dragons travel to play at No. 12 Barton at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Great Bend. Butler is now 13-8 overall and 4-4 in the KJCCC.

The Blue Dragons broke a single-match team record for kills with 75. Villanueva had a career-high 30 kills and Vazquez had a career-high 21 kills.

Villanueva is the second Blue Dragon in program history to reach 30 kills in a match. Katelyn Elstun had 34 kills against Missouri State-West Plains in 2019. Villanueva also tied for the second-most attacks in a match with 30, tying Hall of Famer Mariana Blum, who had 70 against Indian Hills in 2004.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759402098336.jpeg" alt="Sophomore Alondra Villanueva had a career-high 30 kills on 70 attacks in a five-set KJCCC loss by the Blue Dragon Volleyball team to Butler on Wednesday at the Sports Arena (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)" />
 <figcaption>Sophomore Alondra Villanueva had a career-high 30 kills on 70 attacks in a five-set KJCCC loss by the Blue Dragon Volleyball team to Butler on Wednesday at the Sports Arena (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports Information<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/villanueva_alondra_w1k3">Alondra Villanueva</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/vazquez_lauren_ysnb">Lauren Vazquez</a>&nbsp;combined for 51 kills to lead the Hutchinson Community College volleyball team in its Jayhawk Conference home matchup against Butler on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.But after capturing the first two sets, the Blue Dragons dropped the final three sets by a total of seven points in a 3-2 loss to the Grizzlies.Hutchinson is now 11-12 overall and 3-5 in the Jayhawk. The Blue Dragons travel to play at No. 12 Barton at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Great Bend. Butler is now 13-8 overall and 4-4 in the KJCCC.The Blue Dragons broke a single-match team record for kills with 75. Villanueva had a career-high 30 kills and Vazquez had a career-high 21 kills.Villanueva is the second Blue Dragon in program history to reach 30 kills in a match. Katelyn Elstun had 34 kills against Missouri State-West Plains in 2019. Villanueva also tied for the second-most attacks in a match with 30, tying Hall of Famer Mariana Blum, who had 70 against Indian Hills in 2004.Villanueva hit .314 for the match and posted her team-high 10th double-double of the season with 16 digs.Vazquez had her fourth double-double of the season with 21 kills on 40 attacks for a .375 hitting percentage. She added 16 digs.The Blue Dragons out-hit Butler .226-.220 and had 75 kills to Butler's 58. The Grizzlies out-blocked the Blue Dragons 11-7 and had 12 aces to Hutchinson's six. The Dragons out-dug Butler 86-57.Sophomore setter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/reupena_angela_5uex">Angela Reupena</a>&nbsp;had 37 assists, six digs, four kills and an ace.Freshman setter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/garcia_alexandra_ev7s">Alexandra Garcia</a>&nbsp;had 14 kills four digs and two kills.Freshman libero&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/oliveira_clara_34tl">Clara Oliveira</a>&nbsp;had 27 digs and a season-high 15 assists. This was Oliveira's eighth match of 20 or more digs this season.SET 1: The Blue Dragons got off to a tremendous start hitting .419 for the set and sided out at a 77-percent clip. Five different players has at least three kills led by Vazquez's five kills and Villanueva's four. Tied at 11-11, a&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/mcneil_jaylynn_8662">Jaylynn McNeill</a>&nbsp;kill started a 7-1 Blue Dragon run that was capped by a Vazquez kill for an 18-12 lead. Back-to-back Vazquez kills capped another 4-0 run for a 22-14 lead. The Dragons never trailed in the opening set and won it 25-17.SET 2: The Blue Dragons continued to hit well, swinging at a .303 clip while holding Butler to .250 hitting. Trailing 11-9, the Dragons scored five unanswered points to build a 14-11 lead. A double block from Villanueva and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/galliher_mattie_fggb">Mattie Galliher</a>&nbsp;pushed the Hutchinson lead to 19-14, but the Grizzlies battled back with a 10-4 run and had set point at 24-23. Villanueva tied the set at 24 with a kill, the freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/dominquez_sorielys_9mz8">Sorielys Dominquez</a>&nbsp;aced the Grizzlies on consecutive serves to win the set 26-24.SET 3: Hutchinson's hitting percentage dropped to .149 in the third set, while Butler hit .275. An Oliveira ace and Vazquez kill gave the Dragons an 11-7 lead, but Butler countered with a 10-point service run that gave the Grizzlies a 17-11 lead. Trailing 20-16, the Dragons scored four straight o pull within 20-19, but the Dragons never got the set tied and Butler won its first set of the match 25-22.SET 4: The fourth set featured eight ties and five lead changes and a big Blue Dragon comeback in the set. Trailing 14-7 after Butler scored nine unanswered points, the Blue Dragons fought back. Trailing 19-11, a Garcia setter dump for a kill capped a 3-0 run to pull within five points. Trailing 21-16, the Dragons scored seven-straight points – getting two kills each from Villanueva and McNeill and a pair of blocks – to tie the set at 22. Butler led 24-23, but missed a serve on set point. The Dragons led 25-24 on a&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2025-26/bios/follmer_kierny_j8x3">Kierny Follmer</a>/McNeill block. Butler then got a Dragon service error, ace and Hutch attack error to win the set 27-25.SET 5: The Dragons led 4-2, but saw Butler go on another extended scoring run of 6-0 to lead 9-4. The Dragons trailed 12-7, but a 6-1 Hutchinson run knotted the set at 13. Dominquez's third ace of the match gave the Dragons match point at 14-13. The Dragons had two match points, but Butler's five aces in the final set was too much to overcome in a 17-15 setback.MATCH NOTES: The Blue Dragons are 2-3 in five-set matches this season. … Dominquez tied a season high with three aces. … There were a combined 30 ties and 17 lead changes between the Blue Dragons and Grizzlies. Galliher had a team-high five blocks.