Quarterback Bond Was Key to HutchCC National Championship

CANYON, Texas – They might not be brothers by blood, but the bond between Hutchinson Community College quarterbacks Samari Collier and Christian Johnson is one that is special.

After a 9-1 regular season, and a blowout win against Georgia Military in the NJCAA Semifinals, the Blue Dragons rolled into Canyon with a chance to win their second national championship in five seasons. They succeeded, beating Iowa Western 28-23.

All year, Collier was the starter behind center, the regular of the Blue Dragon offense.

But in Canyon, where the stakes were raised to the highest possible level, predictability was thrown out the window.

Collier absorbed blow after blow, rushing for 109 yards in a little over a half of play.

Self-admittedly, he was playing through injury.

“I was a little banged up (going into the game), I’m not gonna lie,” Collier said.

With Collier already playing hurt, a hit on his ankle drove coach Drew Dallas to make decision a decision during the third quarter.

Samari Collier out, Christian Johnson in.

With the Blue Dragons down by 17-14, Johnson was thrust onto the gridiron.

Johnson said he was told to “get ready” when asked if any sign was given to him by Blue Dragon coaches at the half.

Having little to no chance to warm up, the redshirt freshman took the field during a critical point of the game.

What happened next was straight out of a Hollywood script.

Working out of Iowa Western territory, Johnson spotted wide receiver Tre Brown streaking down the left side of the field, and fired off a lofting pass.

The ball soared right into Brown’s arms for a Blue Dragons touchdown.

Johnson’s first pass of the game was a 34-yard strike that gave the Blue Dragons the lead for the first time all game.

It wasn’t just the beautiful touch that Johnson put on the ball that led to the touchdown.

Johnson and Collier’s relationship throughout the year has fostered a brothership.

Collier was quick to praise Johnson.

“That’s my guy … Christian’s a special player. For him to get in there and throw a game-leading touchdown, that’s special,” Collier said.

Johnson, who redshirted last season, talked glowingly about his fellow signal-caller, even when competing with him for the same position.

“We’re sharing reps… it’s always fun playing against somebody who’s a good sport,” Johnson said.

“He’s obviously a great guy. I wouldn’t want to do it with nobody else.”

Dallas agreed with just how unique it was to have two quarterbacks ready to ball out when needed.

“We felt like one of the best things about this team we had this year was our depth,” Dallas said.

“I thought Samari played really well in that first half, and battled it out through that injury … Christian was able to step up and make plays for us.”
Collier and Johnson will be remembered for their separate heroics on the field this season, make no mistake.

Be that as it may, the camaraderie between them might just have spurred each other, and the 2024 Hutchinson Blue Dragon football team, into the history books.

Cleary Percy is a Haven sophomore studying Education. You can email him at thehutchinsoncollegian@gmail.com.

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