No. 1 Hutchinson holds Ellsworth to negative yards in 50-0 rout
Information obtained from HCC officials
IOWA FALLS, Iowa — Top-ranked Hutchinson Community College held Ellsworth to negative-6 total yards Saturday, recording its first game with an opponent held to negative yardage since 2021 in a 50-0 victory at Cadet Field.
The Blue Dragons (4-0) posted a season-high nine quarterback sacks and tied a season high with 16 tackles for loss while limiting the Panthers (2-4) to four first downs, 57 passing yards and negative-63 rushing yards.
Hutchinson last held an opponent to negative total yards when Highland finished with minus-1 yard on May 9, 2021.
The Blue Dragons forced four turnovers — interceptions by Amir Hill and DaMun Allen and fumble recoveries by Kyrece Robinson and Jawon Springs. Springs recovered a fumble in the end zone for a third-quarter touchdown.
Hutchinson's defense forced nine punts and held Ellsworth to negative yardage on nine of 17 possessions.
Backup quarterback Hudson Ferralez led the Blue Dragons with 78 rushing yards on 11 carries and completed 8 of 14 passes for 81 yards and one touchdown. Starting quarterback Christian Johnson added 40 yards on two carries and was 2 of 4 passing for 72 yards and a score.
Derrick Salley Jr. caught two passes for 72 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown reception — his eighth scoring catch of the season. Bobby Shaw III hauled in a 29-yard touchdown pass.
Freshman placekicker Alejandro de la Posa converted his first two career field goals from 39 and 32 yards.
The Blue Dragons scored three first-quarter touchdowns for a 21-0 lead. Ferralez connected with Shaw for a 29-yard score in the second quarter to make it 28-0 at halftime.
Hutchinson added 10 points in the third quarter before Derrell McBride scored on a 12-yard run to open the fourth. The Blue Dragons added a safety on a bad Ellsworth punt snap and de la Posa's second field goal.
Hutchinson extended its winning streak to eight games dating to last season and closed out nonconference play. The Blue Dragons will be the last Jayhawk Conference team to begin league play when they visit Dodge City on Saturday at 1 p.m.