HIGHLAND, Kan. — No. 1 Hutchinson (8-0, 5-0) used a 12-play, 77-yard drive that started in the third quarter to hold off Highland (6-4, 3-3).
Saturday's road game featured the top two defenses in the nation. Hutchinson entered the game allowing 9.4 points per contest to the 10.4 allowed by the Scotties.
Hutchinson's defense intercepted Highland quarterback Brinley Vandiver three times in the second quarter.
Ryan Nolan got his fourth and fifth interceptions of the season in the second quarter while Malik McConico added his third of the year.
"Defensively, we played outstanding," head coach Drew Dallas said of his team's first shutout of the year.
Highland mustered 1.8 yards per play in the first half and finished the day with 135 total yards (121 through the air).
Unfortunately, Dragon quarterback Samari Collier threw two interceptions in the first half. Four of his season five interceptions have come in the last two games.
Collier finished 10-of-17 for 112 yards with the two interceptions. Collier added 45 yards on the ground. "He fought for some tough yards out there today," Dallas said of his quarterback.
"It was the battle of the No. 1 and No. 2 defenses in the nation and you saw every bit of it," Dallas said. "There's a reason (Highland's) record is what it is."
After 29 scoreless minutes, Dragon running back Ed Williams III found pay dirt on an 8-yard burst to put Hutchinson up 6-0 before halftime.
The extra point failed as Dominique Stevenson registered his fifth block of the season.
The Dragons failed on a 28-yard field goal in the same direction after a mishandled snap.
Hutchinson struggled on special teams. Kicker Cole Segraves missed in the third quarter from 35 yards away.
"(Highland) made us earn it up and down the field," Dallas said.
Highland missed its only field-goal attempt from 40 in the fourth quarter.
A 12-play, 77-yard drive for Hutchinson gave the Dragons the breathing room they needed to put the game away.
Receiver Zeriah Beason took the ball to the half-yard line with five seconds left in the third quarter. Beason led Dragon receivers with three catches for 38 yards.
Running back Brandon Epton Jr. capped the drive with the half-yard burst to begin the final frame.
Hutchinson had a chance to run out the clock with 2:48 remaining. However, Amaris Shaw coughed up the ball and Jalen Foster returned the ball to the Dragon 30.
The Dragon defense stopped Highland on 4th and 11 to take the ball back.
FINAL: Hutchinson 13 Highland 0
Highland was 2-for-18 on third down.
Hutchinson was 2-of-11 on third.
The Dragon defense held the second-best receiver in the nation, Benson Prosper, to 24 total yards on six catches. He entered the game averaging 88.4 receiving yards per contest.
Defensive end Daniel Brown was disruptive once again on defense. Brown registered three tackles-for-loss and a sack. He also recorded his second broken-up pass of the season.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.