Coffeyville, Kan. - In a tight defensive battle, the #2 Hutchinson Blue Dragons defeated the #RV Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens 14-9. With the loss, the Red Ravens' overall 2022 record falls to 2-2 including a 2-2 record in KJCCC matchups.
The name of the game in this one was turnovers. Hutchinson had four turnovers in the game (four lost fumbles) while Coffeyville had two interceptions and two lost fumbles of their own to match the Blue Dragons. Both of Coffeyville's lost fumbles were in the first half and ended good drives for the Ravens with each of the fumbles happening inside Hutchinson's 25-yard line.
The first quarter began slowly with both teams going three and out to start the game. The rest of the first quarter was not much better for either team's offense as a tight defensive battle was shaping up. The first quarter ended with a scoreless tie.
The Blue Dragons of Hutchinson jumped on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a 54-yard touchdown pass at the 4:50 mark of the second quarter. The extra point was good and Hutchinson had the first lead of the game at 7-0. Roughly three minutes later, the Coffeyville defense decided to put the Ravens on the scoreboard as Red Raven sophomore defensive back Bishop Fitzgerald scooped up a Blue Dragon fumble and raced 15 yards to the end zone for the touchdown. The Forrest Taylor extra point was wide right and the Ravens went into halftime trailing the Blue Dragons by just one point 7-6.
Coffeyville's defense was strong all night holding the #2 NJCAA ranked Hutchinson Blue Dragons scoreless in the third quarter while Coffeyville's offense was able to add a Forrest Taylor 35-yard field goal at the end of the quarter to take a 9-7 lead over the Blue Dragons heading into the fourth quarter.
It came down to which team could get a drive in the fourth quarter and who could not. Hutchinson answered that bell with a 10-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown to give the Blue Dragons a 14-9 lead over the Ravens with 1:17 left in the game. Coffeyville threw their second interception of the game trying to get down the field and Hutchinson was able to run out the clock for the 14-9 victory.
Hutchinson had 303 yards of total offense, 124 on the ground and 179 through the air. Coffeyville had 221 yards of total offense with 143 of that total on the ground and 78 yards through the air.
Game leaders for Coffeyville include sophomore running back Jacqez Barksdale with 70 yards rushing on 12 carries and freshman running back Romal Webb close behind with 64 yards on 13 carries. The Raven defense was led by freshman linebacker Alijah Bivans with 11 total tackles followed by sophomore defensive back Amir Renwick with 7.
Coffeyville will hit the road for their upcoming matchup in Ellsworth Iowa. The Ravens are set to play the Panthers of Ellsworth Community College on Saturday, October 1st with kick-off set for 1:00 pm.
