By Steve Carpenter - Hutchinson CC Sports Information
INDEPENDENCE, Kan.—The Hutchinson Community College football team gets its rematch Sunday with the Independence Pirates in the Jayhawk Conference/Region VI Playoff Semifinals at 1 p.m. at Shulties Stadium in Independence.
The Blue Dragons hope to gain a bit of revenge after a 32-28 loss to the Pirates on October 9 in Hutchinson when Deontay Wilson took a short pass over the middle from back-up quarterback Tyriq Starks with five Blue Dragons surrounding him and somehow working his way down the sideline for a go-ahead touchdown with 6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
At stake is a berth in the playoff championship game on November 21 in Wichita's Riverfront Stadium to take on the Garden City/Butler winner in the other semifinal.
For the No. 12-ranked Blue Dragons (6-2), a victory will provide an opportunity to move up the NJCAA National Rankings and try to somehow get into the Top 4 of the NJCAA Rankings for an opportunity to defend their national championship.
For KJCCC co-champion Independence (8-1), a spot in the NJCAA Top 4 is squarely on the line. The No. 5 Pirates are on the outside looking in at the Top 4 now occupied by No. 1 Iowa Western, No. 2 Snow, No. 3 New Mexico Military and No. 4 Northwest Mississippi.
The Blue Dragons advanced to their 12th all-time league/region playoff semifinal after a 77-0 domination of Highland last Sunday in Gowans Stadium. Quarterback Dylan Laible threw for a school-record seven touchdown passes and a career-high 365 yards. Three Blue Dragon quarterbacks threw for school-records of 485 passing yards and nine touchdown passes.
Defensively, the Dragons shut out Highland, holding the Scotties to just 70 yards total offense. Hutchinson racked up 659 total yards, the fourth-highest single-game total in Blue Dragon history.
Independence had little resistance from Fort Scott in a 63-2 opening-round victory. The Pirates out-gained the Greyhounds 674-129 as Starks threw for three touchdown passes and 270 yards. Running back Tytraton Lewis had 111 yards on just four carried with an 80-yard touchdown.
The Blue Dragons bid for their ninth appearance in the league/region championship game. The Blue Dragons are 8-12 in the semifinal round.
The Dragons are 3-0 in the playoffs against Independence.
Game Info:
No. 12 Hutchinson (6-2) at No. 5 Independence (8-1)
KJCCC/Region VI Playoff Semifinals
When: Sunday, November 14, 2021
Where: Shulties Stadium, Independence, KS
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Radio: KHUT-FM (102.9); KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5), 12:30 p.m. with Countdown to Kickoff (Glen Grunwald-PBP, Daren Dunn-Color)
Video: Blue Dragon Sports Network, 12:30 p.m.
Twitter: @bluedragonsport
BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format)
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.