After a week of huge matchups, players from Hutchinson, Garden City and Highland captured KJCCC Football Player of the Week honors. Hutchinson quarterback Mark Wright led the No. 1 Blue Dragons to a 35-27 win over No. 2 Butler for Offensive honors. Garden City's Willie Erving was the league's Special Teams Player of the Week. Garden City's Krishon Merriweather and Highlnad's Johnathan Butler shared Defensive Player of the Week honors this week.
OFFENSIVE - Mark Wright, Hutchinson
Quarterback Mark Wright accounted for 316 total yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 1 Hutchinson past No. 2 Butler 35-27 on Saturday at Gowans Stadium. Wright guided the Blue Dragons to three-straight scoring drives on the first three possessions of the game en route to a 21-0 lead. He also guided an offense that didn't turn the ball over. Wright threw for touchdowns of 69, 29 and 46 yards. His 46-yard strike to Mitchell Tinsley early in the fourth quarter gave the Blue Dragons a needed two touchdown cushion. He also ran for a 1-yard TD that was set up by his own season-long 66-yard run.
OTHERS NOMINATED: George Qualls, Butler; Joseph Cambridge, Highland; Jadon Hayes, Garden City
CO-DEFENSIVE - Krishon Merriweather, Garden City
For the third time this season, Krishon Merriweather recorded double-digit stops. The nation's leader in tackles finished with 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His fumble recovery in the second quarter setup a Jadon Hayes' touchdown run.
CO-DEFENSIVE - Johnathan Butler, Highland
Sophomore Johnathan Butler had a high game for the Highland record books recording the third-most tackles in single game in school history with 19 tackles. Butler also tallied a sack on the day in the win over No. 15 Iowa Central as he wreak havoc all day on the Tritons with 10 tackles in just the first half. He helped the Scottie defense come up with several big plays throughout the game including multiple turnovers and also a fourth down goal line stand that helped the Scotties maintain their lead.
OTHERS NOMINATED: Lavar Gardner, Hutchinson; Quillan Felton, Butler
SPECIAL TEAMS - Willie Ervin, Garden City
For the second time in three weeks, Willie Ervin blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. It was during a dominating second-half stretch, where the Broncbusters limited the Greyhounds to less than 150 total yards.
OTHERS NOMINATED: Taiten Winkel, Butler; Finn Rudd, Highland