Undefeated Blue Dragons seeking NJCAA Championship

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW) — The Hutchinson Blue Dragons have started the season 4-0 for the third straight time. They remain the top team in the nation as they head into conference play.

Over the past two years, the program has appeared in both the NJCAA semifinals and finals. This year, their goal is to finish the job.

“We want it. Last year, we came up short,” said Hutch quarterback Samari Collier. “We’re trying to go get it. We ain’t trying to fall up short this year. So this year, we’ve got a whole different mindset.”

The team’s focus isn’t on their perfect record. Instead, they’re locked in on the games they still have to play.

“Soon as we get to Sunday, we have our team meeting with Coach Dallas. We scratch that game, and then we go right to the next game. We learn from what we did. Even if we won, that don’t matter. We still got a learning curve,” explained Hutch running back Waymond Jordan Jr.

The Blue Dragons returners have learned from their previous playoff experience. Collier is elevating the offense in his second year under center.

“I’m starting to understand the game a little more so I can relate to the younger guys this year and give back to them and give them my knowledge from learning from previous schools that I’ve been at,” he explained.

Head Coach Drew Dallas has also noticed Collier’s progress.

“Last year, he was kind of sporadic with some injury stuff of playing a couple games her and out. So, just building on everything that we do and understanding the game. The speed at which he’s able to play with is really the biggest improvement,” said Dallas.

Hutchinson is on fire and has even tied a national scoring record with a 99-0 win over Ellsworth.

“I feel confident that if we play to the best of our abilities, then we got a great chance to win every ballgame,” said Dallas. “That’s the standard of trying to be great. Each and every Saturday, we’re out here, and we’ll get the opportunity.”

As the top team in the country, the team knows they’re a threat, so they aren’t taking any opponent lightly.

“We want to be way more explosive than we are right now. But we we still putting things together,” said Jordan.

“We got to get better week in, week out. Like I said earlier, 1-0 mindset, so we got to get better. Like we have no choice but to get better every week,” explained Collier.

Hutchinson begins conference play at home Saturday against Dodge City.

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