DRAGONS OPEN KJCCC PLAY WITH VICTORY AT DODGE CITY

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

DODGE CITY – Quarterback Christian Johnson accounted for 300 total yards of offense and three touchdown passes, while the Blue Dragon defense turned in another gem of a performance as the No. 1-ranked Hutchinson Community College Football team opened conference play with a big victory Saturday afternoon.

The Blue Dragons extended their overall winning streak to nine games with a 44-3 victory over the Dodge City Conquistadors at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City.

Hutchinson is now 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the KJCCC. The Blue Dragons finally return to Gowans Stadium for the first time in 42 days when Hutchinson plays host to the Independence Pirates at 1 p.m. next Saturday. Dodge City is now 1-5 overall and 1-2 in the KJCCC. All five Dodge City losses have come against Top 10-ranked teams.

Johnson led a Blue Dragon offense that amassed 373 yards (249 passing, 124 rushing). The Blue Dragon sophomore quarterback completed 16 of 29 passes for 230 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for a game-high 70 yards on 14 carries.

Johnson completed touchdown passes of 27 yards to Kordell Gouldsby, 20 yards to Rashaud Hurt and 10 yards to Derrick Salley Jr.

Salley had his third game with 100 or more receiving yards and he extended his consecutive-game streak with a touchdown to five games. Salley had seven catches for 135 yards and his nation-leading ninth receiving touchdown.

Gouldsby accounted for 187 all-purpose yards and he scored two touchdowns. As a receiver, Gouldsby caught three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. He also returned a free kick after a safety 84 yards for his third career return for a touchdown.

The Blue Dragons defense didn't allow a touchdown for the second-straight game. The Dragons held Dodge City to 147 total yards, including only 25 yards on the ground with six quarterback sacks, eight more quarterback hurries and 14 tackles for loss.

D.J. Jester had a team-high seven tackles. DaMun Allen had two interceptions.

The Blue Dragon defense scored nine points against the Conquistadors. Darius Wiley had a quarterback sack for a safety in the third quarter. Then after a Ja'vieane Stevens' forced fumble, Bryce Summerall returned the turnover 33 yards for a touchdown.

The Blue Dragons led 14-0 after the first quarter. Gouldsby's 27-yard touchdown catch capped a 71-yard, five-play scoring drive for a 7-0 lead with 7:56 left in the opening quarter. Hurt's 20-yard scoring catch came one play after Allen's first interception of the game. The Dragons led 14-0 with 2:43 to play.

Dodge City scored the only points of the second quarter with a 27-yard Adam Pineiro field goal with 13:58 to play in the second quarter.

Defense and special teams were the point scorers for the Dragons in the third quarter. First Wiley sacked Edwin Merriweather in the end zone for the Dragons' second safety of the season for a 16-3 lead. The on the ensuing free kick, Gouldsby sprinted 84 yards for a touchdown and a 23-3 lead with 7:59 to play in the third period.

Salley caught his 10-yard touchdown reception with 7:18 left in the fourth quarter for a 30-3 lead. Lekedrin Harvey capped a scoring drive set up by Allen's second interception of the game with a 21-yard scoring burst for a 37-3 lead. Summerall's 33-yard fumble return for a touchdown capped the scoring.

GAME NOTES – The Blue Dragons are now 25-1 in true road game in the Drew Dallas era. … The Blue Dragons are now 55-36-4 all-time against Dodge City, including 26-22-2 in games played in Dodge City. … The Blue Dragon defense has not allowed a touchdown in nine-consecutive quarters. … The last kickoff return for a touchdown by the Blue Dragons was a 92-yard kickoff return by Tre Richardson against Navarro on Aug. 26, 2023. … DaMun Allen now has three interceptions for the season. … Quarterback Christian Johnson now has 14 touchdown passes for the season.