STEVE CARPENTER
HutchCC Sports Information
After two dominant victories, the Hutchinson Community College Football team is now tied for No. 2 in the latest NJCAA Division I Football Rankings, which were released on Tuesday, a day later than normal because of the Labor Day holiday.
The Blue Dragons (2-0) are tied with Iowa Western (1-0) for second in the rankings as New Mexico Military maintained the No. 1 spot after an impressive victory over previous No. 5 Snow College. The Blue Dragons earned two first-place votes, while the Broncos garnered the other eight votes.
Hutchinson, which was No. 3 last week, rolled over Ellsworth 70-7 on Saturday in the Dragons’ first road game of the season. Iowa Western was off on Saturday.
Now the Blue Dragons get a Top 10 matchup in Week 3 as No. 7 Iowa Central comes to Gowans Stadium on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. This will be the second nationally ranked home matchup the Blue Dragons have had this season. The Dragons defeated then-No. 13 Navarro 42-0 on August 27.
Northwest Mississippi and East Mississippi are fourth and fifth, respectively, in the NJCAA Rankings.
The Blue Dragons are the top team of three Jayhawk Conference teams ranked this week. Butler (2-0) is up to No. 8. The Grizzlies play host to No. 10 Snow College on Saturday in El Dorado. Coffeyville (2-0) is No. 11 this week. The Red Ravens play Independence on Saturday. Independence is receiving votes.
The Blue Dragons have been ranked in seven-consecutive polls dating back to last season.
NJCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL RANKINGS
Record Points Last Poll
1. New Mexico Military Institute (8) 2-0 148 1
2. Hutchinson (2) 2-0 136 3
2. Iowa Western 1-0 136 2
4. Northwest Mississippi 1-0 120 4
5. East Mississippi 1-0 109 6
6. Kilgore 1-0 98 8
7. Iowa Central 2-0 94 9
8. Butler 2-0 69 10
9. Jones 1-0 66 11
10. Snow 1-1 58 5
11. Coffeyville 2-0 38 14
12. Georgia Military 2-0 37 RV
13. Lackawanna 1-0 28 15
14. Hinds 0-1 27 7
15. Blinn 2-0 9 NR
Receiving Votes: Monroe, Independence, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Northeast Mississippi, Pearl River, Southwest Mississippi