By Marissa VanWingen, The Times Citizen (Photo by Marissa VanWingen, The Times Citizen)
Ellsworth Community College tied for the most points given up in a single game Saturday at Hutchinson Community College. The top-ranked Blue Dragons set a new program record for points scored in a single game with the 99-0 victory. The last time that happened was in 2018 by Cisco (Texas).
While the Panther defense under first year head coach Matt White has given up on average 51 points this season and have only scored 16 total points in four games, the most recent loss is an all-time low. The Panthers (0-5) turned the ball over eight times on offense and compiled 100 net yards, averaging just 1.2 yards per gain. With six different ball carriers, ECC could only muster 82 yards on the ground – 41 by leader Calvin Swinney. The four quarterbacks that recorded at least one pass attempt for the visitors were sacked seven times, threw four interceptions and connected on just 10 passes for 71 yards.
Hutchinson (4-0) on the other hand had eye popping offensive numbers. They put up 583 yards of total offense, averaging 10.2 yards per play. Hutchinson's leading rusher, Waymond Jordan Jr., tallied 175 yards on nine carries and scored four touchdowns.
ECC had success on their first offensive drive. Swinney recorded 23 yards and the help of a face mask penalty and an offsides flag on the Blue Dragons, the Panthers were on the home side of the 50. Only. They stalled out. Going for it on fourth and eight on the Hutchinson 42, the ball fall incomplete and ECC turned it over on downs. On the very next play, the hosts scored on a 58 yard run and the rout was officially on.
Trailing 24-0 late in the first quarter, ECC had its next best drive. Kellen Cockrell was 3-4 passing with completions to Amir Nixon and two to Nigel Cheeks. On fourth and five, the Panthers went for it again and Gabe Ricketts completed a pass to Jalen Riley for 20 yards but a sack and fumble ended the drive and Hutchinson scored on a 53 yard run. The big plays continued for the hosts who went into the half on top 59-0.
The Blue Dragon offense didn't slow down any putting up 32 points in the second half. The defense got in on the scoring fun with its second pick six of the game, this one for 61 yards.
ECC has their bye week before continuing its four game road trip – at Dodge City on October 12 and then opening the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference portion of its schedule at Iowa Central on October 19.
Hutchinson 99, Ellsworth 0
Saturday at Hutchinson, Kan.
ECC: 0| 0| 0| 0 – 0
HCC: 24| 35| 14| 26 – 99
Hutchinson Scoring:
Passing: Samari Collier 2; Christian Johnson 1.
Rushing: Waymond Jordan Jr. 4; Titus Petteway 2; Julius Bolden 1; Collier 1; Johnson 1.
Receiving: Benson Prosper 2; Tre Brown 1.
Interceptions: David Jester 1; Michael Graham 1.
ECC Stats:
Passing: Shane Helmick 6-20 32 yds, 3INT; Gabe Ricketts 1-1 20 yds; Kellen Cockrell 3-9 yds; Gabriel Robinson 0-1 INT.
Rushing: Calvin Swinney 29-41 yds; Jamari Brown 4-20 yds; Nolan Michelson 1-13 yds; Damien Huglie 3-4 yds; Nigel Cheeks 1-2 yds; Robinson 7-2 yds; Deandre Rutherford 1-(-1) yds; Cockrell 3-(-12) yds; Helmick 3-(-16) yds.
Receiving: Jalen Riley 1-20 yds; Cheeks 3-18 yds; Amir Nixon 3-16 yds; Sedjro Agoumba 1-9 yds; Ryan Sinnot 1-8 yds; Kacen Boyer 1-0 yds.
The Ellsworth Community College Panthers compete in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) and is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Ellsworth Community College is a member of the Iowa Valley Community College District.