By DAREN DUNN
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In many ways, Hutchinson's 70-14 victory over Dodge City (1-5) Sunday afternoon looked a lot like last week's win against Highland.
Once again, the Dragons (7-0) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after the first play on offense. Dylan Laible hit Cortez Braham on the Dragons' first play from scrimmage for a 78-yard touchdown.
"We talked all week about starting fast and finishing strong," head coach Drew Dallas said. "And we definitely started fast."
The Dragons once again jumped out to a 49-0 lead, but this time, the Dragons took a little more time off the clock before gaining the large advantage. One week after hanging a record 49 points in the first quarter against Highland, the Blue Dragons put up 49 in 32 minutes and 30 seconds of game time.
Laible was hot once again from the start. Despite missing on a few passes long and high, he had a hand (or in this case, an arm) in the first four Dragon TDs.
Laible hit Braham on a 78-yard strike to start the scoring, then he found Ivan Thomas on a 62-yard score. He showed his short game on a 9-yard TD pass to running back Dylan Kedzior.
Hutchinson led 21-0 after one quarter. Not even 30 seconds had gone by in the second quarter when Laible chucked his fourth TD pass, this time to Tyrone Howell from 22 yards away.
Marquise Gilbert and the defense once again got in on the scoring action. One week after his 100-yard pick-six, Gilbert had a 57-yard scoop-six after the Dragon defense forced Conquistador running back Cal'von Harris to fumble.
Tye Edwards then capped an eight-play, 87 yard drive with a 42-yard dash to the end zone. Edwards finished with 85 yards on 10 touches.
At halftime, Hutchinson held a 42-0 advantage.
Hutchinson kept firing away to start the third quarter. Laible found Howell once again, this time from 28 yards out. Laible finished the day with five touchdown passes and 246 yards.
Dodge City answered with its first score of the game after an Anwar Lewis fumble. The Conquistadors needed just two plays to score on a 14-yard pass from Rashad McKee to Terrance Johnson. Despite the fumble, Lewis had 91 yards rushing on the day.
Hutchinson would finish the third quarter with three 80-plus yard scores.
Emmanuel Mann answered the Conquistador touchdown by taking the ensuing kickoff 83 yards to the house. Mann scored on a special teams play last week after taking a Highland fumbled lateral off the Scotties' punter and walking into the end zone from three yards out.
Daisean Cash then came in at quarterback and ran for another long TD after his 68-yard scamper last week. Against Dodge City, Cash took a third-down play 95 yards to pay dirt, the second-longest touchdown run in program history.
Dylan Kedzior picked up where he left off as last week's leading rusher when he ran 85 yards for a touchdown with 3:07 left in the third quarter.
Dodge City finished the afternoon scoring on a 10-play, 72-yard drive when backup quarterback Jase Orndorff found Tay Edwards on a 12-yard pass.
The Dragons may have given up 14 points, but "They made Dodge City earn absolutely everything," Dallas said after the game.
Before the final kneel down, Dallas received a congratulatory bath. "I might not have to take a shower tonight," Dallas said.
FINAL: Hutchinson 70 Dodge City 14
Hutchinson received the Region VI Conference Championship trophy after the game. The Blue Dragons won the conference title outright for the first time since 2014.
The Dragons also finished the regular season undefeated for the first time since 1969. This is the fourth time the program has gone undefeated in the regular season (1947, 1948, 1969).
Hutchinson has a bye week to finish the season.
All eyes will be on the national polls after the final week of the season. The Blue Dragons will wait to see if they get an invite to the National Championship.
"Our résumé speaks for itself," Dallas said of the Blue Dragons, who have been No. 1 in the poll all season long and have played stiff competition in the Jayhawk Conference.
The National Championship is set for June 5 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.