Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Just like in the NJCAA national semifinals, the Hutchinson Community College football team will meet an opponent the Blue Dragons have already faced this season.

The No. 1 ranked Blue Dragons will play No. 3 Iowa Western in the 2022 NJCAA National Championship game on Wednesday, December 14 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. and will be televised by ESPNU and broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 7 p.m.

The Blue Dragons (11-0) advanced to their second national championship game appearance in three seasons with a 38-7 semifinal victory over Jayhawk Conference rival Coffeyville on December 3 at Gowans Stadium.

Running back Dylan Kedzior rushed for 156 yard and two touchdowns. Receiver Malik Benson had seven catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. The Blue Dragon defense, after giving on a Red Raven touchdown in their opening drive of the game, stymied Coffeyville, allowing only 35 yards over the final three quarters of the game.

Iowa Western (9-2) moved into its second-straight national title game after a 33-12 semifinal road win on December 4 at Northwest Mississippi.

The Reivers scored the first 16 points of the game and dominated time of possession, holding the ball for more than 35 minutes wile rolling up 335 yards of offense. Quarterback James Graham threw for two touchdowns and 126 yards. he also rushed for 87 yards on 22 carries.

Hutchinson and Iowa Western have already met this season, on November 12 at a frigid Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Blue Dragons trailed by 11 points with 8:34 to play in the fourth quarter. The Dragons climbed back into the game with a Kedzior 70-yard touchdown run with 8:11 to play. Then Jermaine Hamilton-Jordan blocked a Revier punt with 2:42 to play that was returned by Jaimelle Claytor for a go-ahead 40-yard touchdown return and a 29-29 lead.

The Blue Dragons are in search of their second national championship in three seasons. Hutchinson rallied from down 11 points against Snow in the 2020-21 national championship game and defeated the Badgers 29-27 on June 5, 2021.

Iowa Western plays in its fourth title game, winning the 2012 national championship.