HUTCHINSON, Kan. — No. 1 Hutchinson (4-0) opened conference play with a decisive 37-7 victory over Coffeyville (0-4).
For the second game in a row, the Dragon defense did not give up any points.
"One of these days, we're going to get a zero on the scoreboard," coach Drew Dallas said. His offense gave up a safety two weeks ago to Iowa Central, providing the only Triton points in a 27-2 victory.
The defense has only given up one touchdown this season (Ellsworth in week two).
Saturday night in Gowans Stadium, a Zeriah Beason fumble was returned for a touchdown by Cyler Christmas to start the second quarter. The defensive scoop-six provided the only Red Raven points of the contest.
Hutchinson had already built a 17-point advantage after a Samari Collier 34-yard touchdown run, a 30-yard field goal from Cole Segraves and a 63-yard punt return by Tre Richardson.
Richardson took two punts to the house. His first came with 2:52 left in the first quarter to push the Dragon lead to 17-0.
Richardson flew down the field again with 7:38 left in the game for a 70-yard punt return for six.
"He's an electric player," Dallas said of Richardson after the game. "He just continues to make plays. He's a special, special player."
Hutchinson answered the Coffeyville scoop-and-score with 20 unanswered points.
Richardson's second house call was preceded by a Tyrell Reed 9-yard run with 6:21 left in the first half.
Hutchinson wouldn't find pay dirt again until a fourth-quarter 6-yard pass from Collier to ManMan Singleton.
"He's just naturally gifted," Dallas said of Singleton. "He finds ways to make plays."
Collier finished 8-0f-14 with 121 yards passing and one touchdown. Collier added 41 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.
Brandon Epton Jr. led the Dragon rushing attack with 55 yards. Reed added 50 yards and a score.
Beason led all receivers with 76 yards while Singleton had the most receptions (4).
Geremiah Moore came in for Red Raven starting quarterback Connor Apo. Apo left the game 1-of-2 with an interception and two yards passing.
Moore finished 8-of-20 for 116 yards and an interception. Moore led the Coffeyville ground attack with 53 yards.
"Kudos to the defense for adapting," Dallas said of his defense seeing a new quarterback. Moore took his first snaps of the season behind center against the Dragons.
"(The defense) did a good job containing him (Moore) for the most part," Dallas said.
Hutchinson will have a few things to clean up, the Dragons had 12 penalties for 112 yards at the half. The Dragons only had three penalties in the second half.
Coffeyville got flagged for 120 yards on 11 penalties.
FINAL: Hutchinson 37 Coffeyville 7
K'Von Sherman led the Dragon defense with nine tackles.
Hutchinson is on the road Sept. 30 to face No. 11 Butler (3-1).
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