Going 4 it: Is KJCCC best conference in NJCAA?

Fort Scott picked up its second win of the season in an overtime victory over Ellsworth, Hutchinson and Garden City remains No. 1 and No. 2 in the conference and it's time for football in the cold. Sports Editors Kelton Brooks with The Hutchinson News and Levi Burnfin with the Garden City Telegram look back and take on issues in the KJCCC.

1. Fact of Fiction: The KJCCC is the most dominant conference in junior college football.

Kelton: Fiction. However, it is between the KJCCC and the MACJC. Both Kansas and the Mississippi have four teams in the NJCAA top 20. But this year, the KJCCC is Hutchinson, Garden City and everybody else. Butler and Highland don't scream top 20 teams to me. The MACJC has three teams in the top 10, the No. 1 in East Mississippi — and as far as premier Div. 1 talent, I'll give that to the MACJC, as well.

Levi: Fact-ish. If it’s conference to conference, the MACJC is pretty dang strong. But until the scheduling arrangement changes, I basically consider the KJCCC to also include the Iowa schools. If you add Iowa Western into that, then the KJCCC matches the Mississippi schools at the top in terms of quality. That leaves the bottom of the conferences to decide it, and it seems like the bottom of the Mississippi schools are really, really bad.

2. On a scale from 1-10, what chance are you giving Dodge City to pull off the upset against Hutchinson?

Kelton: I’ll give it a lukewarm 5. The Conquistadors are 3-2 at home this season, but the only somewhat noteworthy of a win was against Coffeyville. Stopping the run and prevent turnovers is a good recipe to stay in the game with Hutchinson. Dodge City's best hope is hoping Hutchinson has it mind already focused on Garden City in two weeks.

Levi: A 2 might be too high. Hutchinson has had a bad habit of fading late in seasons, but this year’s team seems to be above that flaw. Plus, Dodge City is horrific right now. Getting blown out by Iowa Central on Saturday does not inspire confidence the Conqs can turn it around.

3. Will Garden City be able to beat Highland by more than a touchdown?

Levi: Jeff Sims is 3-0 against the Scotties in his time at the helm of GCCC. But each win has come by 8 points or fewer. Are the Broncbusters, coming off a bye, going to be able to pull away from a Highland team that has been good defensively, but limited offensively? I think this is the year.

Kelton: Coming off a bye week, it's possible Garden City will come out sluggish. However, I just don't think much of the KJCCC teams outside of Hutchinson and Garden City at this point of the season. The Broncbusters will take it by at least 10 points.

4. Who is more likely to lose this year, Alabama or East Mississippi?

Levi: The Lions are averaging 47.6 points per game and giving up just 13.9. In comparison, the Tide are scoring 53.6 points per game and allowing just 15.1. Of course, East Mississippi has had a close game this year, while Nick Saban is having to invent reasons to be mad at his team. At this point, I think East Mississippi is more likely to lose — but it’s not a great chance.

Kelton: I thought about leaving this blank because I didn't know how to answer it. I was in total disbelief at the question. It's East Mississippi. I'm not betting against Alabama.