Hutchinson routs Northwest Mississippi 27-0, advances to NJCAA championship game
Information obtained by HCC officials
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Christian Johnson accounted for 325 total yards and two touchdowns as top-ranked Hutchinson Community College routed No. 4 Northwest Mississippi 27-0 in the NJCAA Division I Football Playoff semifinals Saturday night, Dec. 6, at Gowans Stadium.
The Blue Dragons (11-0) extended their winning streak to 15 games and will face No. 2 Iowa Western in the championship game Dec. 17 at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in Canyon, Texas. Hutchinson defeated the Reivers 28-23 in last season's title game.
Johnson rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries while completing 18 of 26 passes for 223 yards and a score. The sophomore became the sixth Blue Dragons quarterback to reach 3,000 career passing yards.
Derrick Salley Jr. led receivers with seven catches for 84 yards. Bobby Shaw added three receptions for 69 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown catch.
The Blue Dragons defense held Northwest Mississippi to 216 total yards, 184 below the Rangers' season average. Kevin Moorer recorded two sacks, and the unit posted its third shutout of the season.
Kade Smith scored on a 5-yard run in the first quarter, and Alejandro de la Poza kicked field goals of 44 and 20 yards. The 44-yarder matched his season long, while his 14th field goal tied the program's single-season record.
Hutchinson coach Drew Dallas earned his 60th victory and is now 60-5 in six seasons with six Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference titles.