By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information
The Hutchinson Community College football team was tapped as a preseason co-favorite to win the Jayhawk Conference title, the league's coaches predicted.
The KJCCC Office released its annual preseason coaches' poll on Tuesday. Hutchinson and Garden City are the co-favorites in what many consider a wide-open league.
The Coronavirus pandemic-delays junior college football season is slated to begin on Friday, March 26 at the Blue Dragons play host to the Coffeyville Red Ravens at Gowans Stadium.
With four new head coaches in the league – Hutchinson's Drew Dallas is among that list – and the fact that two transfer seasons have come and gone since Independence was crowned league champion in 2019, leaves many questions as to what exactly each team has this season.
After the Blue Dragons and Broncbusters, the poll says Butler is No. 3, Independence is No. 4 and Coffeyville is No. 5. Dodge City, Fort Scott and Highland round out the final three slots.
The Blue Dragons were 10-2 and finished No. 3 in the final NJCAA rankings after the 2019 season. Hutchinson, Garden City and Butler finished in a three-way tie for second place in the KJCCC title race in 2019. The Blue Dragons return five starters and 14 letter winners back from that team.
Dallas has waited more than a year to coach his first game as a head coach. He was hired on December 31, 2019 to replace Rion Rhoades.