Box Score HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Following a heart-breaking loss to Iowa Western at home last week in the final seconds for its first defeat in 2015, the character of the Dodge City Community College football team was put to the test against No. 8 Hutchinson on Saturday night at Gowans Field.

The Conquistadors passed the test and announced to the rest of the NJCAA that they'll be one to contend as they played well in all facets to take down the Blue Dragons 27-14 for its first win in Hutchinson since 2006.

DC3 (4-1 overall, 3-0 KJCCC) forced four Hutchinson (3-2, 1-2) turnovers, held an offense in the top 15 in the NJCAA to 14 points and 267 yards, got a strong performance on the ground from Florida commit Mark Thompson, an accurate performance from quarterback Tommy Lazzaro and two field goals by Dillon Burkhard in arguably the Conqs' top overall performance of the season.

"I think this is a defining moment for our team and our guys as far as performing against a high quality opponent and a well-coached football team," DC3 coach Gary Thomas said. "We are excited with where we are at and the direction we are going."

The Conqs led 20-14 with less six minutes left in the contest and Hutchinson with the ball first and 10 at its own 35. Blue Dragons running back Tyren Jones busted free for an 18-yard run, but Marquise Blair knocked the ball away from behind and Quandreko Statham was there to pick it up to give the ball back to DC3 at the Dodge City 48 with 5:21 remaining.

It capped a huge day for Statham as he also had two interceptions, seven tackles, 62 yards on two kickoff returns and a 10-yard punt return. The freshman said the strong play of the defense begins with the guys up front.

"It starts out with the D-line," Statham said. "That's the most important part. When they get pressure and the linebackers are covering, in the secondary we can do what we got to do and make them not want to throw the ball - or throw a pick."

Following the turnover, the Conqs faced a third and seven from the Hutchinson 49 when Lazzaro hit Jeff George for a 10-yard gain and a first down to keep the clock rolling. Two plays later Lazzaro hit George again, this time for a 26-yard gain down to the Hutchinson 14.

Lazzaro finished an efficient 15-for-20 passing for 202 yards and no interceptions.

Thompson did the rest as the bruising 6-foot-3, 220-pound back broke through the middle - and through tacklers - and dove for a 14-yard score to put the game out of reach at 27-14 with 2:00 left.

Thompson once again carried the load on the ground for DC3, finishing with 171 yards and three scores on 29 carries.

"He's actually been hurt the better part of the last four week, but you can see he's getting better," Thomas said of Thompson. "... That's a heck of a football team and a heck of a defense he did that against."

Thompson said last week's loss was a motivating factor this week for the Conqs.

"It motivated us a lot because we felt like we should've won that game," Thompson said. "To be 10 seconds away and come away with a loss, no one wants to feel that feeling again."

George was the Conqs' top receiver with 97 yards on five catches while Justin McInnis had 64 yards receiving on four catches and Devin Booker finished with 41 yards and six catches.

As for Hutchinson, Jones led the offensive attack with 120 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

Dimonic McKinzy started the game at quarterback for the Blue Dragons (going 5-for-10 for 35 yards and two interceptions) before being pulled for Kylen Binn (who went 11-for-15 for 99 yards and an interception). Logan Mays was the top target, catching six passes for 59 yards.

Gary Johnson led the DC3 defense with 11 tackles, including a sack, while Elijah Battle had an interception and a pass breakup.

DC3 hosts Fort Scott 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.