Hutchinson CC Sports Information
Defensive back M.J. Graham and defensive tackle Jeffrey Manns both made game-changing plays in the No. 1 Hutchinson Community College football team's 27-12 win over No. 9 Butler on Saturday in El Dorado.
Those performances netted Graham Jayhawk Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors and Manns Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Graham and Manns are the 10th and 11th Blue Dragon players to earn conference weekly honors this season.
M.J. GRAHAM - Defense
Graham had a huge game, including two interceptions in a 27-12 victory for the No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons over No. 9 Butler.
Graham had six total tackles, including an 8-yard tackle for loss.
But his two interceptions were key plays in the game. One came in the third quarter and the second happened with 12:37 left in the fourth quarter.
Graham now has a team-high six interceptions for the season.
Graham joins Teegan Haines, Darius Wiley and D.J. Jester as Blue Dragons who have been named KJCCC Defensive Player of the Week.
JEFFREY MANNS – Special Teams
Manns perhaps made the momentum-changing play against Butler on Saturday.
Manns blocked his third kick of the season, which came on an extra-point attempt that kept the game tied.
Butler tied the game at 6-6 late in the second quarter, but the extra-point try was backed up 15 yards because of a penalty. Manns blocked that extra point to keep the game tied.
The Blue Dragons took the ensuing kickoff and scored with 2 seconds left before halftime. After Manns' block, the Dragons reeled off 21 unanswered points to put the game away and earn their fourth win over a Top-10 opponent.
Manns joins Kordell Gouldsby as KJCCC Players of the Week this season.