Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College football team plays its 900th game in program history on Saturday for its 2023 home opener.

The No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons (1-0) play host to the Ellsworth Panthers (0-1) at 11 a.m. at Gowans Stadium for First Responders Day. The game will be streamed live on the Blue Dragon Sports Network and over the air on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 10:30 a.m. with Countdown to Kickoff.

Starting the season ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA preseason rankings, Hutchinson returned to the top of the poll on Monday after a decisive 42-6 victory over No. 11 Navarro last Saturday in Corsicana, Texas. That outcome, combined with former No. 1 Iowa Western's 27-20 victory at unranked Dodge City swayed seven of the 10 voters to vote Blue Dragon at No. 1.

Freshman receiver Tre Richardson had one of the best debuts in Blue Dragons history, accounting for 268 all-purpose yards in the Blue Dragons' decisive wins at Navarro. Only Roger Frazier had more all-purpose yards in a Blue Dragon debut than Richardson. Frazier accounted for 330 yards against the Conquistadors in 2005.

The Blue Dragon defense was fierce, holding the high-powered Bulldogs to just two field goals and 236 yards. The Dragons forced one takeaway - a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown by defensive back Jordan Scruggs.

Ellsworth plays a No. 1-ranked team for the second-straight week. The Panthers lost to NJCAA Division III College of DuPage last week 17-10. The game was tied 10-all after three quarters. Ellsworth quarterback Tristan McClary completed 13 of 36 passes for 103 yards. McClary was also the Panthers' leading rusher with 54 yards on 18 carries.

The Blue Dragons have won four games in a row in the series, including last season's 70-7 victory over the Panthers. Darby Roper had a 32-yard punt return for a touchdown to start the scoring. With Hutchinson leading 14-7 after one quarter, the Blue Dragons scored 28 points in the second quarter and ultimately scored 56 unanswered points.

The Blue Dragons are 55-24-2 all-time in home openers, winning nine openers in a row.