By DAREN DUNN
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One week ago at Coffeyville, running back Dylan Kedzior was called upon in the fourth quarter to score the game's go-ahead touchdown. That performance led to him being named RB1 against No. 9 Butler.
"He's been the man the last two weeks," head coach Drew Dallas said after the game. Kedzior ran for 230 yards against the Grizzlies and scored four touchdowns.
His first score came on the ground early in the second quarter. Kedzior broke free on a 23-yard scamper. The extra point was blocked by Caylen Lowery, keeping the score locked at 6-6.
The Grizzlies opened up the scoring with two Carson Arndt field goals. The Wichita native hit from 40 and 46 in the first quarter to put Butler up six early.
"Our defense had that bend-but-don't-break mentality early," Dallas said of his defense giving up only field goals.
Arndt attempted five kicks on the evening, connecting on four. His only miss came from 46 yards in the fourth quarter. Arndt was good from 40, 46, 32 and 22.
His 22-yard field goal with 7:33 to play kept the game a one-possession contest at 27-19. Hutchinson held Butler to 4th-and-goal at the 5-yard line before the attempt.
Hutchinson took a 20-16 lead into the locker room after three Kedzior touchdowns. Two were on the ground (from 23 and 17 yards out) and one was on a sensational grab in the corner of the end zone from 4 yards away just before halftime.
"When we got him, he was a wide receiver," Dallas said of his star running back.
The catch in the end zone was challenged by Butler, but officials confirmed the call on the field.
Before that grab, Butler had a 16-13 advantage after the two field goals and a Jaisean McMillian 3-yard score. The run capped a 6-play, 75-yard drive and would be the only TD of the night for No. 9 Butler (3-2, 3-1).
"The defense stepped up in a big way in the second half," Dallas said of his team's physical play that dominated the last 30 minutes.
Butler managed just one field goal in the second half.
No. 2 Hutchinson (5-0, 2-0) took a 27-16 lead with 5:09 left in the third quarter on a Kedzior 7-yard run. The score capped a 12-play, 91-yard drive that wiped 6:43 off the clock.
Hutchinson looked ready to ice the game with a 25-yard field goal with 1:17 remaining. However, Butler's Caleb Brown blocked the Cole Segraves attempt. Segraves went 0-for-2 (38 and 25 yards). His 38-yard attempt went just left. He hit 3 of 4 extra-point attempts, the one miss was blocked.
Hutchinson's defense intercepted a Jake Wolff pass after it was deflected to seal the contest with 44 seconds left. One problem, the Dragons were called for an illegal substitution.
The defense closed the door once again, however, when Walter Bob Jr. stripped Wolff of the ball and Rodney Green Jr. fell on it with 23 seconds remaining.
FINAL: Hutchinson 27 Butler 19
Dylan Kedzior finished with 230 yards on 28 carries (8.2 yards per carry). He had four touchdowns (three on the ground, one through the air).
The other Dylan, quarterback Dylan Laible, completed 17 passes for 224 yards and the one TD to Kedzior.
Micah Woods caught four passes for 107 yards.
The Dragon defense held Jake Wolff to 23 of 41 passing. He finished with 271 yards. Jeremiah Payton led the Butler rushing attack with 92 yards.
Butler had 423 yards of total offense, but managed just one touchdown.
Hutchinson put up 516 yards on offense.
The Dragons were 55% on third down (6 of 11) and held Butler to 29% (4 of 14). Hutchinson sacked Wolff three times. Terry Kirksey led the defense with 10 tackles, Nikko Taylor had two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Hutchinson travels to Dodge City (2-3, 1-2) next Saturday, Oct. 8, for a 1 p.m. kickoff.