Former Liberal Athlete Turning HCC Program Around

The Hutchinson Community College football team is ranked No. 13 in the preseason NJCAA poll, which was released Thursday.

This is the first time the Blue Dragons have been ranked in the preseason poll since 2005.

The Blue Dragons were 7-4 last year under second-year coach Rion Rhoades and played in the Region 6 championship game for the first time since 1995, where they lost 29-14 to eventual national champion Butler.

Butler, who is coached by Hutchinson native and Buhler High School graduate Troy Morrell, enters the season ranked No. 1.

Rion Rhoades played for the Liberal Redskins under former coach Gary Cornelsen.