By DAREN DUNN
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — No. 1 Hutchinson overcame a slow start Saturday night against Highland (2-7, 1-6) to remain perfect on the season.
Hutchinson missed a couple of opportunities early, namely when reigning offensive player of the week Treymon Echols dropped a sure-touchdown pass from Dylan Laible in the first quarter.
Echols had the defense beat and dropped the ball.
The game was scoreless after one quarter.
The Dragons (8-0, 5-0) finally got on the board early in the second quarter on a Dylan Kedzior one-yard rush.
The score came after a Walter Bob Jr. interception. The defensive lineman stepped in front of a screen pass and returned the ball to the Highland 28. Hutchinson used six plays to take the 7-0 advantage.
Less than five minutes later, the Dragons got on the board again after a one-yard run. This time, quarterback Dylan Laible powered forward for just his third career rushing touchdown, his second in as many weeks.
For just the second time this season, however, Laible was also intercepted. A third-quarter shot to the end zone was intercepted by Travis McNichols.
Hutchinson took a 14-0 advantage into the locker room thanks to a defensive stand to end the second frame. Highland marched down to the Dragon one and faced 3rd and 1 before Rodney Roane tackled running back Kason Jones for a three-yard loss.
Highland called timeout with just one second left before the break. On 4th and 1, holder Grant Sillyman mishandled the snap and ran for his life around the left side of the defense. Ja'Mez Drummer quickly stopped Sillyman in his tracks and the half came to a close.
"What a great stop at the end of the first half," Drew Dallas said of his defense.
"Highland's played a lot of people tough this year," Dallas said. "They're doing some really good things schematically."
Highland is under first-year head coach Jared Powers. While Powers has concern for his team's depth, he knows his first-string players have the ability to match anybody in the conference, or the NJCAA for that matter.
The Scotties lost to current-No. 2 Iowa Western 24-7, a score much closer than poll voters expected of a team that began the season 0-5. The Scotties lost to Garden City 14-6 before winning two of their last three games.
Hutchinson opened things up enough in the second half to allow Dylan Laible more time off. The Dragons career leader in touchdown passes has enjoyed the luxury of calling it a day in his last three outings.
Laible threw 14 0f 28 for 150 yards with one TD and one INT. He was sacked three times.
"Not pretty by our standards," Dallas said of the first half. But he credited his coaching staff for making the necessary adjustments.
Dallas said some of the adjustments came up front with the offensive line. The line had cleared a path in the last four games for running back Dylan Kedzior. In those four contests, Kedzior ran for 578 yards. He was bottled up for 66 yards Saturday, but still managed to find the end zone. He now has a five-game touchdown streak.
Tim Byrd Jr. finally found some running room in the fourth quarter. After the game was in hand, Byrd Jr. broke off a 64-yard run to the Highland seven. He took the ball to pay dirt the very next play to finish the day with 110 yards rushing on six carries.
Hutchinson built a 24-0 advantage in the second half thanks to a Micah Woods 30-yard touchdown snag from Laible and a 39-yard Cole Segraves field goal.
Highland found the end zone with 1:24 to play when quarterback Tysan Robbins found Ja'Vonte Williams for the 20-yard score. Robbins finished 17 of 34 with the one TD and two INTs. He was sacked twice. Williams caught six passes for 101 yards and the score.
FINAL: Hutchinson 31 Highland 7
The Dragons captured the KJCCC conference title for the third straight season with the win. And the 10th time in it's 90 year history.
Hutchinson has now won 14 games straight, dating back to last season. This is the second-longest winning streak in program history, tied with a run from 1968-1970.Hutchinson is 24-0 against Highland all-time in Gowans Stadium.
The Dragon defense allowed just 69 rushing yards, but surrendered 247 passing yards. Highland put the ball on the turf six times, but Hutchinson only capitalized on two opportunities. The Dragons came away with two interceptions (Walter Bob Jr. and Terrente Hinton).
Hutchinson returns home next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff against Independence (3-4, 2-2). The Pirates were on a bye week Saturday.
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