HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Back at Gowans Stadium for the first time in 35 days, the Hutchinson Community College football team wasted no time putting on a show for the home crowd Saturday afternoon, scoring in nearly every possible way to extend its winning streak to 10 games for just the seventh time in program history.
Kordell Gouldsby dazzled with two punt-return touchdowns, and Derrick Salley Jr. hauled in three more scoring grabs as the No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons dominated Independence, 71-12. The win tied the fourth-longest streak in program history and marked Hutchinson’s fifth straight victory over the Pirates.
Hutchinson (6-0, 2-0 KJCCC) has now scored at least 70 points twice this season — the 19th time in program history — and improved to 61-24-5 all-time against Independence, including 35-10-2 at Gowans Stadium. The Dragons will host No. 12 Coffeyville next Saturday at 7 p.m.
Gouldsby, who entered the night with three career return touchdowns, doubled that total with 34- and 56-yard punt returns for scores. He totaled 118 return yards and 161 all-purpose yards, also adding two catches for 37 yards. Gouldsby became the first Blue Dragon to return two punts for touchdowns in a game since Tre Richardson in 2023.
Salley continued his historic season with touchdown catches of 1, 5 and 45 yards — giving him 12 on the year and tying Lonnie Crittenden (1970) and Cordarrelle Patterson (2011) for the second-most single-season touchdown receptions in program history. He finished with four receptions for 63 yards.
Quarterback Christian Johnson was sharp, completing 9 of 12 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Backup Hudson Ferralez threw for 99 yards and added two short rushing scores, helping the Dragons put up 415 total yards.
The defense turned in one of its most dominant outings of the season, recording 10 sacks — tied for the third-most in school history and the most since 2019. J’Lynn Allen led the way with a career-best three. The Dragons also forced five takeaways, with interceptions by DaMun Allen, Amir Hill, and Earl Parker.
Hutchinson’s ground game controlled the tempo, outgaining the Pirates 200-29 on the ground. Daeshawn Carter led the team with 50 yards and a touchdown, while Lekedrin Harvey added 49 yards and a score.
Special teams continued to shine. Hill blocked a punt — Hutchinson’s seventh blocked kick of the season — and Alejandro de la Poza booted field goals of 31, 41, and 26 yards while going 8 of 9 on PATs to finish with 17 points.
The Dragons built a 17-0 first-quarter lead, stretched it to 37-0 by halftime, and never looked back, leading 58-6 after three quarters.
Head coach Drew Dallas notched his 55th career win on the Hutchinson sideline. The victory also ended the Dragons’ streak of 11 consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown, one of several statistical milestones in another dominant performance for the defending national champions.