Hutchinson Blue Dragons Shut Out Northwest Mississippi Rangers 27-0 in NJCAA Semifinal
Dominant defense and balanced offense send Blue Dragons to championship rematch with Iowa Western
Hutchinson, KS. – The No. 1 Hutchinson Blue Dragons defeated the No. 4 Northwest Mississippi Rangers 27-0 on Saturday night at Gowans Stadium, earning a place in the 2025 Credit Union 1 NJCAA Division I Football Championship presented by Zurich Insurance. With the win, Hutchinson remains undefeated at 11-0 while Northwest Mississippi concludes its season at 10-2 after its fourth playoff appearance.
The game's momentum shifted on the opening drive when Kade Smith capped an 11-play, 75-yard march with a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Hutchinson built on that momentum in the second quarter, as Christian Johnson connected with Bobby Shaw III for a 5-yard touchdown pass and then added a 10-yard rushing touchdown of his own. Alejandro de la Poza extended the lead by converting a 44-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, giving the Blue Dragons a 24-0 advantage at the break.
Defensively, the Blue Dragons were dominant, limiting the Rangers to 220 total yards and just 40 rushing yards. Northwest Mississippi was held out of the red zone and lost two fumbles. A fourth-quarter forced fumble by KJ Henson Jr. and recovery by Jeffrey Manns preserved the shutout and ended the Rangers' closest scoring chance.
Christian Johnson led all players with 223 passing yards and 103 rushing yards, accounting for two touchdowns. Derrick Salley Jr. caught 7 passes for 84 yards as the top receiver, while Bobby Shaw III added 3 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Moorer paced the defense with 2 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. For Northwest Mississippi, Jerry Wall III recorded 10 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss and 1 sack, and quarterback Neko Fann completed 17 of 31 passes for 180 yards.
Hutchinson outgained Northwest Mississippi 371-220 in total offense and converted 4 of 5 red zone opportunities. The Blue Dragons did not commit a turnover, while the Rangers lost two fumbles and did not advance into the red zone.
The Blue Dragons advance to face Iowa Western in the 2025 Credit Union 1 NJCAA Division I Football Championship presented by Zurich Insurance on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 6 PM CT in Canyon, Texas. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU and marks a rematch of last season's title contest. Northwest Mississippi's season ends with a 10-2 record after making its fourth playoff appearance.
Up Next
Hutchinson will take on Iowa Western in the 2025 Credit Union 1 NJCAA Division I Football Championship presented by Zurich Insurance on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 6 PM CT in Canyon, Texas, with the game broadcast live on ESPNU.
