Players from Garden City and Hutchinson earned Week 1 KJCCC Football Player of the Week honors after both the Broncbusters and Blue Dragons earned big victories on the opening weekend of the 2023 season.
The league had co-offensive players of the week in Garden City running back James Jones and Hutchinson recever Tre Richardson. Blue Dragon defensive back Jordan Scruggs earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Hutchinson's Richardson was also named the league's Special Teams Player of the Week.
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: James Jones, Garden City and Tre Richardson, Hutchinson.
Jones rushed for 117 yards on 17 carries as No. 10 Garden City defeated No. 12 Butler 27-22 at Broncbuster Stadium. Jones had two rushing touchdowns of 14 and 31 yards. The 31-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter provided the winning margin for the Busters in the game.
Richardson had one of best debuts in Blue Dragon history with 268 all-purpse yards in No. 2 Hutchinson's 42-6 road victory at No. 11 Navarro on Saturday in Corsicana, Texas. Richardson scored three touchdowns – a 32-yard run, 57-yard reception and a 92-yard kickoff return. Richardson had 32 rush yards, 93 receiving yards, 113 kickoff return yards and 30 punt return yards for 268 all-purpose yards.
OTHERS NOMINATED: Jalen Smith, Dodge City; Dariyonne Bryant, Highland; Tobias Burrell, Independence
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jordan Scruggs, Hutchinson
Blue Dragon defensive back Jordan Scruggs had a Pick-Six in a dominant defensive performance by No. 2 Hutchinson in a 42-6 victory at No. 11 Navarro on Saturday. Scruggs jumped a route for an interception and traveled 52 yards untouched for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Scruggs had two total tackles. The Blue Dragons defensively held Navarro to two field goals and 236 total yards.
OTHERS NOMINATED: Sonny Semeati, Dodge City; Jorome Simmons, Highland.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Tre Richardson, Hutchinson
Richardson's third-quarter 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the key play of the game as the No. 2 Hutchinson Blue Dragons defeated No. 11 Navarro 42-6 on Saturday. With Hutchinson leading 14-6 after Navarro took more than 7 minutes off the clock to kick a field goal, Richardson took the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown and a 21-6 lead just 12 seconds later. That play was a big chunk of Richardson's 268 all-purpose yards, which is the second highest total in team history by a Blue Dragon making his collegiate debut. Richardson had 113 kickoff return yards, 30 punt return yards, 93 receiving yards and 32 rushing yards. Richardson also had three touchdowns in the game – his 92-yard kickoff return, a 57-yard reception and a 32-yard rush.
OTHERS NOMINATED: Chevy Edwards, Butler; Bobby Arnold Jr., Dodge City; Adonis Coyle, Highland.