Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College football team is back on the road Saturday to face another nationally ranked opponent as the No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons travel to play the fifth-ranked Iowa Central Tritons in a noon kickoff at Dodger Stadium in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) beginning at 11:30 a.m. with Countdown to Kickoff. Glen Grunwald (play-by-play), Daren Dunn (color) and Sean Boston (sidelines) will have the call. The game will be streamed exclusively on Iowa Central's YouTube channel.

This will be the second-straight season the Blue Dragons (2-0) and Tritons (2-0) meet as ranked teams. Last season the Blue Dragons were No. 2 and Tritons No. 7 as Hutchinson prevailed 31-28 in overtime after Cole Segraves' 39-yard walk-off field goal at Gowans Stadium.

No. 1 for a second-straight week, the Blue Dragons own two decisive victories over No. 11 Navarro (42-6) and unranked Ellsworth (72-7). Iowa Central has knocked off Independence (28-15) and No. 5 Garden City (30-20), rallying from a 13-point deficit.

The Blue Dragons racked up 441 rushing yards while holding Ellsworth to a negative-53 yards. Tyrell Reed Jr. went for 171 yards on the ground on just nine carries with three touchdowns. Amaris Shaw rushed for 139 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns.

Iowa Central quarterback Justin Silverstein led the Triton comeback against Garden City last week throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 22 of 44 passing. Receiver Mario Sanders had six catches for 106 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-tying 16-yard touchdown catch late in the third quarter.

Blue Dragon head coach Drew Dallas will be coaching in his 34th game on the Hutchinson sideline. The matchup against No. 5 Iowa Central will be 16th against a ranked opponent. The Blue Dragons are 13-2 against ranked opponents under Dallas, going 10-2 against foes ranked in the NJCAA Top 10.

After Saturday's game in Iowa, the Blue Dragons will have the first of two bye weeks next Saturday before opening Jayhawk Conference play on September 23 against Coffeyville at home.