HIGHLAND, Kan. — No. 1 Hutchinson (6-0, 3-0) stayed perfect on the season Saturday but the Highland Scotties (1-6, 1-2) did something no other team had been able to do against the Dragons in three-straight games: score.
The Dragons jumped out to a 17-0 advantage and even had a touchdown lead before time ever ran off the clock.
The Scotties let the opening kickoff land between two returners before Elijah Lewis tried to track the ball down in the end zone. His muff was recovered by Rayvelle Leak for a touchdown with all 15 minutes still on the clock.
Hutchinson then got a one-yard touchdown burst from Rashaud Hurt and a 28-yard field goal from Parker Grizzell before Highland did what no team had done against Hutchinson in 18-plus quarters.
With seven seconds left in the first quarter, backup quarterback Paco Mitchell found receiver Catrell Lee streaking down the sideline for a 52-yard touchdown.
The touchdown was the first surrendered by Hutchinson since the second quarter against Cisco in the first game of the season. It also marked the first points against the Dragon defense since the second quarter of the second game against Ellsworth when the Panthers connected on a 36-yard field goal. The points were also the first given up in the first quarter all season.
"We didn't play clean by any means in that first half," head coach Drew Dallas said. "We knew they were dangerous on the edge. Some of our pressures weren't hitting home and they did a good job of protecting the quarterback in that first half."
Hutchinson held a 17-6 lead after Ian McKee missed his fifth extra point of the season.
The Dragons immediately answered with a Leak 60-yard touchdown run.
Mitchell, however, was not finished. He had a part in all three Highland scores Saturday.
His one-yard touchdown run pulled the Scotties within 24-12 after the two-point try failed.
Hutchinson again had an answer.
Running back Jayden Hall housed a 17-yard run to put Hutchinson up 31-12.
Mitchell had the answer with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Artzion Williams. This time, the two-point conversion was successful with a completion to tight end Kwame Samuels.
Leading 31-20, Hutchinson went on a 27-0 run to end the game.
The Dragons got a 32-yard field goal from Grizzell to close the first half.
DyVair McCray then took the opening kickoff of the second half to the house down the right sideline for 85 yards.
"Special teams came up in a big way," Dallas said of the two scores on special teams. Those scores came at the beginning of each half.
Hurt found the end zone again, this time from nine yards away.
Grizzell tacked on another field goal, this time from 34 yards out.
Ryan Campbell closed out the scoring with his first rushing touchdown of the season. His four-yard carry capped off the 27-0 run.
FINAL: Hutchinson 58 Highland 20
Hutchinson now has 28-straight road wins under Drew Dallas.
Leak (71) and Hall (62) combined for 133 rushing yards on the ground.
Randy Phillips completed 25-of-35 passing attempts for 268 yards. He also threw his first interception of the season.
Bobby Shaw returned to action and caught four footballs for 63 yards.
Aiden Bruce snagged a game-high six footballs for 53 yards.
Mitchell finished with 79 rushing yards, 61 passing and 63 receiving.
The Dragons return home Oct. 10 to play Independence at noon.