Hutchinson CC Sports Information
With more than 2,200 miles covered and three victories under its belt since its last home game on September 13, the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon football team finally returns to Gowans Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons (5-0, 1-0 KJCCC) continues Jayhawk Conference play against the Independence Pirates (3-3, 1-2 KJCCC) at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Gowans Stadium.
The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and on sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 12:30 p.m. with Sean Boston (PBP) and Rob Dreher (color) calling the action. The game will be streamed live only on the Blue Dragon Sports Network.
Now riding a nine-game winning streak dating back to last season, the Blue Dragons return home after a Jayhawk Conference-opening 44-3 victory last Saturday at Dodge City.
The Blue Dragon defense continued to excel, not allowing a touchdown for a second-straight game and a streak of nine overall quarters dating back to the fourth quarter of the Iowa Central game on September 20.
Hutchinson's defense will get a big challenge today as Independence comes into the game as the Jayhawk Conference's No. 1-ranked and NJCAA No. 4-ranked passing offense. Averaging slightly more than 38 pass attempts per game, the Pirates are averaging 284.0 passing yards per game. Pirate freshman quarterback Keegan Anderson completes 61.5 percent of his passes and has thrown for 12 touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Blue Dragons have racked up 23 quarterback sacks and have 10 interceptions this season. Darius Wiley and Kevin Moorer have 4.5 quarterback sacks per game. M.J. Graham has four interceptions and Da'Mun Allen has three. Allen is coming off a two-interception game last week against Dodge City.
Hutchinson ranks No. 2 in the nation in scoring defense at 11.0 points per game allowed. The Blue Dragons rank No. 3 in total defense (212.6 ypg), No. 3 in rush defense (52.2 ypg) and No. 12 in pass defense (160.4 ppg.)
Offensively, the Blue Dragons are No. 2 in the NJCAA in scoring offense at 47.0 points per game and No. 10 in total offense at 424.4 yards per game.
Last week against Dodge City, quarterback Christian Johnson threw for three touchdowns and was 17 of 30 passing for 239 yards. Johnson earned KJCCC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season, adding a career-high 70 rushing yards to his performance against the Conquistadors.
The Blue Dragons rolled up 382 total yards. Receiver Derrick Salley Jr., had his third 100-yard game of the season with seven catches for 135 yards. He had a 40-yard touchdown reception to continue his streak to five-straight games with a touchdown reception.
Series History vs. Independence - Saturday's meeting will be the 90th all-time between Hutchinson and Independence. The Blue Dragons own a 60-24-5 series advantage over the Pirates and are on a four-game win streak.
The 60 wins over Independence are the most by the Blue Dragons against any opponent in team history.
The Blue Dragons are 26-14-3 against Independence in games played in Independence. The Dragons are 34-10-2 in games played in Hutchinson.
Hutchinson owns a 4-0 record against Independence in KJCCC/Region 6 Playoff games.