JUCO Football: Butler Grizzlies 2020 Season Preview

Written by Michael Gambill

Twitter: @MichaelGambil10

As college football fans anxiously await how the 2020 football season will unfold in terms of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic around the United States, college programs from the JUCO level up through NCAA Division I are preparing in earnest for final guidance to ready themselves for next year. At the JUCO level, programs such as Butler Community College are no doubt ready to “get to work” and make a push for another NJCAA football national championship.

The Butler Grizzly 2019 season ended with an overall 10-3 season record and a Midwest Classic Bowl win over Trinity Valley (TX) to cap off an otherwise successful season. The Grizzlies were 5-2 in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) and dominated at home with a 7-0 record when playing in El Dorado (KS). Offensively, Butler averaged 346.2 yards per game while holding opponents to 251.8 yards each week on average. Total offensive production included 4,500 all-purpose yards while allowing only 2,580 yards to Butler’s opponents. The 2020 season is shaping up to be another challenge for Butler but certainly a challenge that the storied Grizzly program is ready for under the leadership of head coach Tim Schaffner. The 2020 season looks like the following for Butler Community College:

Week 1, 8/20/20 vs. Iowa Western

Butler opens up the season on the road against perennial powerhouse Iowa Western in Council Bluffs (IA). Last season Iowa Western got the best of Butler and beat them 23-13 so this year some revenge will be in order for the Grizzlies. A win on the road against the Reivers to start the season will easily help Butler set the tone for the remainder of the season.

Week 2, 8/29/20 vs. Fort Scott

Butler opens up the home stretch of their 2020 season against fellow Kansas JUCO Fort Scott. Last year Butler beat the Greyhounds 10-7 so there may be another tight game ahead for the Grizzlies early on in the season. Butler holds the all-time edge against Fort Scott with a 48-30-2 record.

Week 3, 9/5/20 vs. Iowa Central

Butler faces another challenge against a strong Iowa JUCO team. However, Butler dominated the Tritons last season beating them 42-10. Another big win here will no doubt help Butler in the NJCAA football rankings early in the season.

Week 4, 9/19/20 vs. Arkansas Baptist

Butler did not play against Arkansas Baptist last season. The Buffaloes finished up their 2019 season with a 5-5 record and may also be an early test for the Grizzlies.

Week 6, 9/26/20 vs. Coffeyville

Butler plays the Coffeyville Red Ravens on the road and last year the Grizzlies beat them 33-13. However, Coffeyville still holds the all-time edge against Butler with a 40-41-2 record against the Red Ravens. Both teams will be playing with the postseason in mind and this game will be another key conference matchup for both programs.

Week 7, 10/3/20 vs. Dodge City

The Dodge City Conquistadors will make their way to El Dorado (KS) to face off against Butler as conference rivals. The 2019 matchup had Butler coming out victorious with a 31-10 final score. The Grizzlies have an all-time .608 win margin over the Conquistadors.

Week 8, 10/10/20 vs. Hutchinson

The 2019 game between Butler and Hutchinson proved to be a disappointment for the Grizzlies as they dropped a close 35-27 loss to the Hutchinson Blue Dragons. This game is another away game for Butler and will prove to be pivotal in the Grizzly push for another conference title.

Week 9, 10/17/20 vs. Independence

Butler again has their work cut out for them as the Independence Pirates beat them soundly last season 49-20. Despite the all-time record of 50-24-3 against Independence, Butler will face an improved program that is making strides towards respectability, even after Independence’s fame (or infamy) by appearing on “Last Chance U” on Netflix. Independence is on the Kansas JUCO football map and Butler’s road to the offseason will have to go through this away game in the latter part of October.

Week 10, 10/24/20 vs. Garden City

The Garden City Broncbusters are only a few years removed from a football National Championship and will no doubt prove to be a tough opponent in this late season game. Butler prevailed last season 34-27 and this game may have postseason implications for both teams.

Week 11, 10/31/20 vs. Ellsworth

Butler will spend Halloween on the road in Iowa against the Ellsworth Panthers. Last season the Grizzlies beat Ellsworth 30-3 and again Butler will be looking at maintaining possible ranking spots with another win in Iowa.

Week 12, 11/7/20 vs. Highland

Butler finishes up its regular season at home against the Highland Scotties. Last year Butler was able to finish off Highland 33-7 and this game may be viewed as a “tune up” game in preparation for the postseason. Butler holds the best all-time record against Highland among fellow conference members and has beaten the Scotties 27-11-1 overall.

In the final analysis, Butler looks to be very competitive in the JUCO ranks this year as they did last season. However, the specter of the Covid-19 pandemic still looms over American sports including college football and it’s safe to say that each of these games are tentatively scheduled as health guidelines and possible governmental restrictions may force major changes in collegiate athletics this fall.

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Photo credit: Kansas.com; Butler in action

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