The Highland Scotties knocked off No. 1 Hutchinson on Saturday. Quarterback Joseph Cambridge and return specialist Brian George were recognized as KJCCC's Offensive and Special Teams players of the week. Independence's Tyreece Knight was the league's Defensive Player of the Week.
OFFENSIVE: Joseph Cambridge, Highland
Sophomore quarterback Joseph Cambrdige helped lead the charge in No. 20 Highland's 29-27 win over No. 1 Hutchinson on Saturday. He was 20 of 38 passing for 238 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for another score and was only sacked once. Cambridge connected on a 45-yard touchdown with Antoine Thompson to give Highland a 13-0 lead in the second quarter as the Scotties scored off a Hutchinson turnover, while he laid his body on the line when he ran for five-yard touchdown in the second half. Cambridge has the Scotties leading the KJCCC in passing yards per game (261) and total passing yards, while he ranks Top five in the NJCAA in passing yards per game at 265.8 and is Top 10 in total yards passing. The sophomore has thrown for 1,329 yards on a 55.4% completion percentage with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
OTHERS NOMINATED: Ramon Jefferson, Garden City; Stephon Brown, independence.
DEFENSIVE: Tyrice Knight, Independence
In the first quarter, with the score 7-0, Tyrice Knight picked off a Butler pass and returned the ball to the Butler 10 yard, setting up a Pirate touchdown to increase the lead to 14-0. Later, in the fourth quarter, Butler was in the red zone threatening to score to bring it to a 1 score game (potentially 35 – 27), but Knight intercepted the ball and ran it back 103 yards for a touchdown, making the score 42-20. The 103-yard interception return broke a Pirate record that was set in 1954. Tyrice also contributed two key tackles for loss in the game.
OTHERS NOMINATED: Krishon Merriweather, Garden City; Johnathon Butler, Highland
SPECIAL TEAMS: Brian George, Highland
Special teams set the tone early for the No. 20 Scotties in a 29-27 upset win over #1 Hutchinson as sophomore, Brian George took the opening kickoff 95-yards for a touchdown to give the Scotties the early lead and electricity the team and fans in Highland. The return marks the third special teams touchdown of the season for the Scotties and is the second longest kickoff return in school history. George added a pair of tackles on defense along with a pair of pass breakups along with strong coverage to his dynamic return to help the Scotties earn the win.
OTHERS NOMINATED: D.J. McCulloch, Garden City; Jalin Troutman, Independence