BLUE DRAGON FOOTBALL
# 16 Hutchinson (6-2, 3-1) at # 6 Independence (6-1, 4-0)
When: Saturday, October 28, 2017
Where: Riverside Park-Emmott Field, Independence, Kansas
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. *Coundown to Kickoff at 9:00 p.m.*
Live Radio: KHUT-FM (102.9); KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5), 12:30 p.m.
Live Video: Blue Dragon Sports Network, 9:20 p.m.
Twitter: @bluedragonsport
By Steve Carpenter-Hutchinson CC Sports Information
For the second-straight week, the Hutchinson Community College football team is in a nationally ranked matchup with plenty riding on the eventual outcome of the Jayhawk Conference.
The No. 16-ranked Blue Dragons travel to No. 6 Independence for a 9:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday at Emmott Field in Riverside Park in Independence.
The game will be broadcast live on Blue Dragon flagship station KHUT-FM (102.9) and sister stations KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5). The veteran broadcast team of Rusty Hilst (play-by-play), Daren Dunn (analysis) and Glen Grunwald (sidelines). The broadcast begins at 9 p.m. with Countdown to Kickoff.
The game will also be videostreamed on the Blue Dragon Sports Network (www.bluedragonsports.com).
Hutch and Independence play its most meaningful game against each other since 2010 when they met in the semifinals of the Region VI Playoffs. Independence led in the third quarter, but Hutch rallied for a 24-17 victory.
The Blue Dragons look to rebound from their first Jayhawk Conference loss of the season after then No. 16 Butler came to Gowans Stadium and never let the Dragons get untracked in a 38-10 win over Hutchinson.
That means that Independence is the lone remaining unbeaten in league play. Since getting pounded by Iowa Western 72-21 in the season opener, the Pirates of reeled off six-straight wins, including a 4-0 mark in conference play.
If Hutchinson wins, the Blue Dragons and Pirates would again be tied for the Jayhawk Conference lead. If the Pirates win, Independence would have a two-game lead on the field with three games to play.
Last week, the Blue Dragons committed a turnover on the third play from scrimmage that Butler returned for a touchdown. Hutch found itself down 21-3 at halftime and only mustered 171 yards of total offense and just three first downs in the second half.
Independence had its bye week last week. The Pirates earned their sixth consecutive victory on Sunday, October 15 in a 9-6 victory at Highland. Before that game, the Pirates were averaging 36.0 points per game in their previous five outings.
Last season, the Pirates came to Gowans Stadium and defeated the Blue Dragons 18-16, one of six losses by Hutchinson that were by seven points or loss.
The Blue Dragons are looking to win the Jayhawk Conference championship for the first time since 2014. Independence hasn’t won a conference title since 1937 according to the most up-to-date KJCCC records.