By DAREN DUNN
Hutch Post
COFFEYVILLE, Kan. â No. 2 Hutchinson found itself in a defensive battle Saturday night against the Red Ravens, who came into the game receiving votes for the Top 15 poll.
The game featured eight turnovers, four by each team.
Hutchinson's four fumbles marked the second straight game the Dragons had to fight through four turnovers in a contest.
Hutchinson began last season as No. 1 and lost on the road at Coffeyville after turning the ball over seven times in a 17-10 decision.
"Credit our defense again," head coach Drew Dallas said. "We just played outstanding on the defensive side of the ball."
The Dragons gave up three points on defense. Coffeyville's lone touchdown came on a defensive scoop-six when Bishop Fitzgerald took a Dragon fumble 15 yards to the house.
Fortunately, Red Raven kicker Forrest Taylor missed a PAT for the first time this season after an errant snap threw off the kick's timing.
Hutchinson took a 7-6 lead into the locker room thanks to a second quarter strike to Malik Benson.
Dylan Laible hit Benson in space and the wide receiver took the ball 54 yards to the end zone.
The first half of the game featured an odd back-and-forth.
Hutchinson started three-and-out. Coffeyville matched with a three-and-out.
Coffeyville fumbled, then Hutchinson fumbled.
The 54-yard strike to Benson was the lone bright spot offensively in the first half, but it was followed by the Coffeyville scoop-six.
Laible was strip-sacked halfway through the third quarter, but the defense responded again with a Jaden Mosley interception.
Hutchinson turned around and coughed up the ball offensively again.
"The frustrations really could have boiled over," Dallas said of his team's inability to hang onto the ball.
"We found a way to grind it out," Dallas said. "We got to do some self-reflection."
Hutchinson's third quarter fumble led to a Taylor 35-yard field goal.
Coffeyville held the 9-7 lead late into the fourth quarter.
The Dragons' other Dylan entered the contest late in the third, marking the return of running back Dylan Kedzior from injury. He made his presence known in the fourth.
"Really proud of Dylan (Kedzior) for stepping up when we needed him to," Dallas said. "His legs are fresh and he looked really good."
Kedzior had not played since the week two win at Ellsworth. He finished the game as Hutchinson's leading rusher. He carried the ball 12 times for 85 yards and a touchdown.
His touchdown with 1:17 remaining put Hutchinson up for good and came on a 2-yard burst to cap a 10-play, 72-yard drive.
Coffeyville took one last shot offensively, but quarterback Isaiah Velez was picked off by Jalik Thomas.
J.R. Martin started the game for Coffeyville at QB. Martin and Velez went a combined 10 of 27 for 78 yards and two interceptions.
Coffeyville rushed for 143 yards.
FINAL: Hutchinson 14 Coffeyville 9
The Blue Dragons entered the game averaging 47.7 points per contest.
Coffeyville's offense has now gone back-to-back games without a touchdown, managing just two total field goals. In that span, the defense has scored eight points.
Coffeyville missed a 42-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Hutchinson is now on a 10-game winning streak, dating back to 2021. It ties for the third-longest streak in program history.
Hutchinson (4-0, 1-0) is home Oct. 1 against Butler (3-1, 3-0). The game in Gowans Stadium kicks at 7 p.m.
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