Just a few voting points kept the Hutchinson Community College football team away from playing its fourth-straight nationally ranked opponent this week. No. 11 Hutchinson travels to Dodge City for a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday.
Off to a 2-1 start, the Conquistadors are receiving votes in the NJCAA poll and are the equivalent of being No. 22.
The Blue Dragons (2-1, 2-0 Jayhawk Conference) rebounded from their first loss of the season with a 34-24 victory over No. 12 Garden City last Saturday at Gowans Stadium. That game wrapped up a stretch of three-straight games to open the 2013 season against ranked competition.
Hutchinson forced five takeaways and have 11 for the season, including a nation-leading eight interceptions.
The Dragons will face and up-and-coming team in Dodge City that in the season opener was tied with Butler 0-0 at halftime before falling 41-6. Since then, the Conquistadors bounced No. 7 Kilgore 27-16 and had a come-from-behind 41-35 victory last Saturday at Highland.
Hutchinson has reeled off six consecutive victories over the Conquistadors and none of the game during that stretch have been close. HCC has outscored Dodge City 272-25. Before the Blue Dragons’ current winning streak, Dodge City had reeled off five-straight over Hutchinson.
This will be the first of two afternoon games on HCC’s schedule this season.
The Coaches
Hutchinson: Rion Rhoades is in his seventh season with the Blue Dragons. He has a 46-24 record at HCC and 53-29 in his eighth season as a head coach.
Dodge City: Gary Thomas is in his first season with the Conquistadors. Previously, Thomas was the head coach at the College of DuPage. Thomas is 2-1 at Dodge City and is 18-6 overall in three seasons.
Game 4: Hutchinson at Dodge City
When: Saturday, September 14, 2013
At: Dodge City, KS
Stadium: Memorial Stadium, Dodge City
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Capacity: 7000
Surface: FieldTurf
Radio: KHUT-FM (102.9); KWBW-AM (1450)
Internet: Blue Dragon Sports Network
Blue Dragons
Record: 2-1 (2-0 Jayhawk)
NJCAA Ranking: No. 11
Last Game: def. No. 12 Garden City 34-24
Coach: Rion Rhoades, 7th season
Conquistadors
Record: 2-1 (1-1 Jayhawk)
NJCAA Ranking: RV
Last Game: def. Highland 41-35
Coach: Gary Thomas, 1st season
Series History vs. Dodge City
This will be the 82nd meeting between Hutchinson and Dodge City in a continuous series that dates back to 1936.
Hutchinson holds the series advantage at 44-33-4. The Dragons have won six straight in the series.
At Gowans Stadium, the Blue Dragons are 25-13-3. Dodge City leads at Memorial Stadium 19-20-2.
The teams have met five times in Region VI postseason competition. Dodge City is 2-3 in postseason meetings.
Noting The Blue Dragons
+ Through three games, the Blue Dragons are averaging 31.1 points, 111.7 rushing yards, 204.7 passing yards and 316.3 total yards per game.
+ Sophomore quarterback Luke Barnes is completing 54.8 percent of his passes for 614 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.
+ Receiver Jabril Soloman has 13 catches for a team-high 252 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Murray has a team-high 14 receptions for 74 yards and two scores. Out of the backfield, Mike Blakely has 13 catches for 125 yards.
+ The Blue Dragons’ running back looks to break out this week. Freshman Chase Abbington leads HCC on the ground with 123 yards on 35 carries and one TD. The Blue Dragons are averaging just 2.9 yards per carry so far this season.
+ The Blue Dragon defense rebounded last week against Garden City with a strong effort allowing only 66 rushing yards and forcing five turnovers. Entering Week 4, the Blue Dragons are allowing 26.3 points, 137.9 rushing yards and 162.0 passing yards per game.
+ The Blue Dragons have forced 11 takeaways (8 interceptions, 3 fumbles) this season.
+ HCC’s defense has 10 quarterback sacks through three games. Sophomore linebacker Michael Peek has a team-high 2.5 sacks.
+ Sophomore transfer Jaylon Myers is the nation’s leader in interceptions with four. He tied a school record for three picks against Coffeyville on Aug. 24.
+ Sophomore linebacker Brock Long has a team-high 28 tackles. Sophomore cornerback Christian Goodlett is second with 25 tackles. He tied a school record with six passes broken up against Coffeyville on Aug. 24.
+ Freshman kicker Ryan Weese continued his strong start. Weese is a perfect 10 of 10 on extra-point tries and is 6 of 6 on field-goal attempts. Weese’s long is 31 yards vs. Coffeyville. Weese has also been strong on kickoffs with four touchbacks and an opponent’s starting average of its own 23-yard line.
+ HCC’s return teams have been strong. HCC’s kickoff returns have averaged 28.2 yards per attempt with four going for 30 yards or better. HCC’s punt return team is averaging 16.5 yards per return. Chris Murray has a 78-yard return for a touchdown this season.
Noting Dodge City
+ First-year head coach Gary Thomas spent two seasons as head coach at College of DuPage and was at the Illinois school for seven seasons, serving as offensive coordinator. Several current DC transferred from College of DuPage this season.
+ Dodge City is receiving votes in the NJCAA poll for the second-straight week. The Conquistadors lost to Butler 41-6 on opening night, but that game was 0-0 at halftime. They then upset No. 7 Kilgore 27-16 two weeks ago at Memorial Stadium. Last week, DC rallied from a 28-21 deficit to defeat Highland 41-35.
+ The Conquistadors had 586 total yards last week against the Scotties last week, including 328 yards on the ground. Running back Tyreis Thomas ran for 249 yards and four touchdowns.
+ Through two weeks, the Conquistadors are averaging 24.7 points, 137.7 rushing yards and 202.0 passing yards per game.
+ Thomas has rushed for 336 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 112.0 yards per game. Keymonne Gabriel averages 4.2 yards per carry and has 130 yards for the season.
+ Quarterback Deondre Ford is completing 62 percent of his passes, averaging 26 attempts per game. Ford has thrown for 598 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.
+ Four receivers have 10 or more receptions. Devonte Robinson has 13 catches for 170 yards and a TD. Michael Thomas has 11 catches for 136 yards and two TDs. William French had 10 catches for 205 yards and Kyle Foster has 10 for 48 yards.
+ Defensively, the Conquistadors have been allowing some points, but have had their moments of brilliance. Dodge City allows 30.7 points, 118.0 rushing yards and 244 passing yards.
+ Logan Orso is Dodge City’s leading tackler with 24 tackles, including two quarterback sacks and a fumble recovery. Josh Williams has 21 tackles and Danzel McDaniel has 19 tackles and one interception.
+ DC is working with two kickers. Shane Brittain is 3 of 5 on extra points and 0 of 1 on field goals. Manny Castillo is 1-3 on extra points and 0 of 2 on field goals. The Conquistadors have also struggled at punter as Sheve Knoche is allowing just 26.6 yards per attempt on 16 punts.
FULL GAME NOTES (PDF format)