Breaking News
Local Sports

Tritons finish with No. 1 Hutchinson

By DANA BECKER, Sports Writer 2 min read

For one final time under first-year head coach Colby Kratch, the Iowa Central football team hits the field inside Dodger Stadium.

The 11th-ranked Tritons welcome in No. 1 Hutchinson for a noon kickoff.

Iowa Central (6-3 overall) scored its second straight victory last weekend, besting Northeastern Oklahoma A&M on the road, 36-34. The Tritons went 5-1 on the road this year, including 4-0 in games decided by one possession.

"It's the same song and dance as any other week," Kratch said. "(Hutchinson) has had success against everybody because they make them out to be something they are not. They are a very good football team, but they are not the '85 Bears.

"We have to show up, play our game and stick to our jobs. We've been preaching this week that the bigger the game, the simpler the game plan."

TyJohn Brooks had another breakout game, catching eight passes for 166 yards, as Maddox Griswold caught a TD. Andrew Genova had a punt return for a score and Chase Pearsall anchored the defense with 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Hutchinson (10-0) clinched its seventh consecutive Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference title with a 59-0 victory over No. 14 Dodge City last weekend. They are the only undefeated team in NJCAA Div. I, posting a 26-0 win over second-ranked Iowa Western back in September.

The Blue Dragons are averaging 53 points and over 442 yards of total offense per game while allowing 5.4 points and 186 yards. Randy Phillips has 2,022 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, with Jeremiah Looney catching 36 passes for 618 and six scores.

Rayvelle Leak, JB Price and Jayden Hall all have over 369 rushing yards and a combined 18 rushing scores.

"We need to put them in situations they are not familiar with," Kratch said. "They haven't played from behind or played in close games. We've been tested in those areas this year.

"It's also important that we not look at the scoreboard no matter what it is. You can dig out of anything in this crazy game."

Hutchinson reached the national title game last year, falling to Iowa Western. They won championships in 2024 and during the 2020-21 season, advancing to the finals in 2022.

Starting at /week.