By DAREN DUNN
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — "It stings a lot," head coach Drew Dallas said after Saturday afternoon's contest between No. 3 Independence and No. 13 Hutchinson Community College.
The game was decided on the very last play from scrimmage.
Hutchinson raced out to a 21-7 lead at halftime behind three Dylan Laible first-quarter touchdown passes. Laible picked up where he left off in Garden City (5 of 6 for 124 and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter) with 9 of 11 passing for 148 yards and three TDs in the first quarter of play.
Laible's hot start began when he hit Demariyon Houston for an 18-yard touchdown with 7:13 left in the first quarter. He torched the strong Independence defense (allowing just 9.4 ppg) less than three minutes later on a 40-yard score to Malik Benson.
R.J. Walker would answer with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Malik Mullins.
With four seconds left in the first quarter, Laible connected with Cortez Braham for a 27-yard touchdown. Neither team would score in the second quarter as both teams traded interceptions just before the half.
The Blue Dragons (2-3) took a 14-point lead into the locker room.
Independence quarterback R.J. Walker struggled, especially when driving into the wind. He finished 8 of 21 for 95 yards with a touchdown and interception. He was sacked twice.
Walker was replaced in the third quarter by Tyriq Starks. Immediately, the Independence offense looked different.
Starks was still sacked twice by the Dragon defense, but he threw 15 0f 22 for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 40 rushing yards.
Starks quickly put 10 points on the board for Independence in two drives. His first drive into the wind resulted in a 15-yard touchdown pass to Deontay Wilson.
Anwar Lewis answered that score with a 31-yard sprint to the end zone. With 5:36 left in the third quarter, Hutchinson led 28-14. Brandon Gielow connected on a 28-yard field goal to pull Independence within 11.
Just seconds into the fourth quarter, disaster struck on a sack-fumble of Dylan Laible in Dragon territory. The Pirate defense scooped up the ball in the red zone. It took five plays for Starks to find Wilson from five yards away. The two-point conversion failed and Hutchinson held on to a 28-23 advantage with 12:43 left.
"We lost the football game by turning the ball over and giving up explosive plays," Dallas said.
The most explosive play came with just 16 seconds left.
Hutchinson was clinging to a 28-26 advantage after the defense held Independence to a 22-yard field goal with 5:38 to play.
The Dragon offense could not get a final first down with 57 seconds left and had to punt.
With 16 seconds left, Independence moved the ball to its own 47-yard line. The Pirates had no timeouts, but a Dragon injury forced the officials to stop the clock.
When play resumed, Starks once again found Wilson on an intermediate throw. Wilson turned on the jets and sprinted down the sideline, escaping three Dragon defenders for the go-ahead score.
Two 15-yard penalties, one after the 53-yard touchdown and one after the extra point, forced the Pirates to kick from their own 10.
Dylan Kedzior couldn't find much room as the last six seconds ticked off the clock.
FINAL: Independence 33 Hutchinson 28
Deontay Wilson (Independence) finished with eight catches for 144 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner.
Dylan Laible threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns. He was 18 of 24 with two interceptions. Laible was sacked three times.
Former Pirate Nadame Tucker had seven tackles, three tackles-for-loss and a sack against his former team.
Ja'Mez Drummer led Hutchinson with eight tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
Anwar Lewis turned in his third-straight 100-yard performance. He ran for 123 yards and one touchdown.
Malik Benson caught six passes for 107 yards and one touchdown.
Independence is now 6-0.
Hutchinson will travel to Highland (1-4) next Saturday.