BLUE DRAGONS ROLL UP 82 IN ROUT OF RPA

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Eleven different players scored touchdowns as the No. 11-ranked Hutchinson Community College football team posted the third-largest blowout in team history on Thursday night at Gowans Stadium.

With the fourth-most points scored in team history, the Blue Dragons defeated RPA 82-0. One year ago, the Dragons scored a national single-game scoring record in a 91-0 rout of the Wildcats from Arlington, Texas.

Hutchinson's 82-point output was the fifth most points scored in the NJCAA this season.

Despite playing most only short fields, the Blue Dragons rolled up 414 total yards, getting 265 yards on the ground and 149 through the air.

Defensively, the Blue Dragons held RPA to negative total yardage. The Wildcats had a minus-38 total yards with a minus-58 yards on the round and a plus 20 through the air. RPA had six first downs, three coming on Blue Dragon penalties. The Blue Dragons forced three more takeaways, getting a 57-yard Jakorian Bennett interception for a touchdown. Last season, Hutchinson held RPA to a negative-59 yards.

The Blue Dragons scored four touchdowns in their first six offensive plays of the game. Khalil McClain caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Mason Schucker. Demon Jackson then had a 4-yard scoring run, Jonathan White had a 1-yard TD run and Drake Bolus broke lead for a 22-yard score to give Hutch a 28-0 lead with 7:03 remaining in the first quarter.

Back-up quarter Nolan Arrington threw three touchdown passes, completing 14 of 17 passes for 98 yards. Overall, three Dragon quarterbacks were a combined 17 of 20 for 149 yards and four touchdowns.

Ten different Blue Dragons caught passes. Karim Brown caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Arrington. Dalrone Donaldson caught a 5-yard TD pass. Nick Shelton had a 5-yard touchdown reception as well.

Montai Ellis led Hutchinson on the ground with 88 yards on nine carries and touchdown runs of 1 and 31 yards. Andrew Lee played his first game and ran for 51 yards on 11 carries. Drake Bolus finished with 46 yards and Dante Madden had 40 yards.

The Blue Dragon defense dominated RPA, posting 18 tackles for loss that included six quarterback sacks. Hutchinson held RPA to 1 of 15 on third-down and 0 of 7 on fourth down. The Dragons scored 28 points off Wildcat turnovers.

Malik Wilkerson had 10 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Bennett and Josh Reliford had interceptions – the Blue Dragons now have 15 total picks for the season.

Special teams also scored when Kobe Oldfield recovered a muffed punt in the end zone for a touchdown.

Hutchinson returns to Jayhawk Conference play on Saturday, September 29 when the Blue Dragons travel to the Butler Grizzlies for a 7 p.m. kickoff at BG Products Stadium.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are 2-0 against RPA and 50-15 all-time against non-NJCAA competition. … The Blue Dragons were 7 of 7 in the red zone with seven touchdowns. … The Dragons had 24 first downs. … The Blue Dragons are 37-0 in the Rion Rhoades' era in holding teams to 10 points or less. … The Blue Dragons posted their 142nd all-time shutout in program history. … The only games the Dragons score more points in was 91 last year against RPA, 90 against Highland in 2011 and 83 against Dodge City in 1997.