Top-ranked Hutchinson rolls past No. 9 Butler 27-12 for 12th straight win
Information obtained from HCC officials
EL DORADO – Christian Johnson accounted for three touchdowns and the defense came up with crucial plays as top-ranked Hutchinson Community College defeated No. 9 Butler 27-12 on Saturday, Nov. 1, at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
The Blue Dragons (8-0, 4-0 Jayhawk Conference) notched their fourth victory over a Top-10 opponent this season and extended their winning streak to 12 games. Butler fell to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.
Hutchinson has now won 24 consecutive true road games dating back to 2021.
The Grizzlies took an early 6-0 lead on field goals of 46 and 37 yards by Alejandro de la Poza before tying the game at 6-6 on Nakai Poole's 30-yard touchdown reception with 1:42 remaining in the first half. But Butler was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play, and the Blue Dragons opted to enforce the penalty on the extra-point attempt. Jeffrey Manns blocked the 35-yard try – his third blocked kick of the season – keeping the game tied.
From that point, Hutchinson scored 21 unanswered points.
Johnson threw for 156 yards and rushed for 68 more, including touchdown runs of 7 and 1 yard. The Blue Dragons amassed 347 total yards.
Running back Kade Smith, playing in his first game of the season, rushed for a team-high 98 yards on 25 carries and scored on a 5-yard run in the third quarter.
Receiver L.T. Robinson had a career-high four receptions for 63 yards, while Derrick Salley Jr. added four catches for 31 yards.
Sophomore defensive back M.J. Graham led the defense with two interceptions, one tackle for loss and seven total tackles. Linebacker Teegan Haines had a team-high nine tackles.
The Blue Dragon special teams set a single-season program record with their ninth blocked kick. In addition to Manns' blocked extra point, J'Lynn Allen blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter.
Butler totaled 161 rushing yards and 152 passing yards.
Hutchinson has a bye next Saturday before traveling to play Highland at 1 p.m. on Nov. 15.