FORT DODGE, Iowa — No. 1 Hutchinson (3-0) reeled off 27 unanswered points after an inauspicious start and No. 5 Iowa Central (2-1) safety to open the scoring.
Confusion broke out for what was initially ruled the first touchdown of the game.
A Blue Dragon 16-play drive stalled in Triton territory and Hutchinson settled for a Cole Segraves field-goal attempt. The 24-yard try was blocked by Isaiah Bruce and Eli West returned it to the house for a scoop-six.
The return happened down the Iowa Central sideline as bench players walked onto the field to celebrate with their teammates.
Blue Dragon head coach Drew Dallas asked for a conference with officials to think through the play. Dallas explained that the ball had been blocked behind the line of scrimmage and became dead when it rolled to a stop in the end zone.
Officials agreed and took the points off the board.
"Just a freak incident that probably happens once out of every five years," Dallas said of the play. "Sometimes it just takes time to get those things worked out, ironed out."
The ensuing Triton possession ended with a fumble. It would be the first of five turnovers on the day for Iowa Central.
The first points of the game came compliments of the Iowa Central defense. After punter/linebacker Kolben Miller pinned Hutchinson on its own 1, he tackled running back Brandon Epton Jr. in the end zone for a safety.
The first two points of the day proved to be the only points for Iowa Central all afternoon.
From there, Hutchinson scored 27 straight, including 17 in the second half thanks to four defensive interceptions.
Ryan Nolan tied a Blue Dragon single-game record (Jaylon Myers - 2013 at Coffeyville) with three interceptions in one game. All three came in the third quarter.
Demonte Gaston registered a pick in the fourth quarter on Triton backup Trevon Taylor. Gaston had the jump on the pass and Nolan, who was nearly in position for his fourth takeaway.
Starter Justin Silverstein exited the game after his third pick. He finished the day 11-of-28 for 145 yards and the three interceptions.
Silverstein started the day 6-of-8 for 106 yards.
Samari Collier experienced the exact opposite for Hutchinson. The redshirt freshman quarterback began the day 3-of-8 for 32 yards before connecting on 4-of-5 for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
After giving up the safety with 22 seconds to play in the first quarter, Hutchinson got a 40-yard field goal from Segraves to take a baseball-like lead at 3-2.
Just before the break, Collier found ManMan Singleton on a 16-yard scissor pattern to put the Dragons up 10-3 at halftime.
Collier used his legs in the third quarter on a 29-yard house call up the middle of the Triton defense.
Segraves added a 25-yard field goal to begin the fourth quarter before Collier found Tristan Smith on a free play from 16 yards away.
FINAL: Hutchinson 27 Iowa Central 2
Hutchinson's defense did not surrender any points. "We danced in that locker room liked they pitched a shutout without a doubt," Dallas said. "We lost sleep this week over the score (only TD allowed this season last week vs. Ellsworth). Those guys continue to step up, play lights out."
The Dragon D registered three sacks, two came from Daniel Brown.
Hutchinson was 7-of-14 on third down and held Iowa Central to 1-for-9.
Hutchinson gets a bye week before returning to Gowans Stadium Sept. 23 to open conference play against Coffeyville (0-2).
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