Blue Dragons Stars Earn Weekly Honors After Thrilling Victory Over No. 2 Iowa Western

HUTCHINSON — Two Hutchinson Community College football players who delivered clutch performances in Saturday's dramatic 30-27 victory over second-ranked Iowa Western have been rewarded with Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference weekly honors.

Sophomore receiver Derrick Salley Jr. and sophomore linebacker Teegan Haines were named KJCCC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, on Tuesday after their standout efforts helped top-ranked Hutchinson edge the Reivers at Gowans Stadium.

Salley made the play of the game, hauling in the go-ahead touchdown with just 1:01 remaining in the fourth quarter to cap a thrilling national No. 1-vs.-No. 2 showdown.

The 6-foot-5, 216-pound receiver from Green Pond, South Carolina, posted his first career 100-yard receiving game with four catches for 106 yards against Iowa Western. His biggest moment came on a crucial third-down play when he snagged a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Christian Johnson in the right corner of the end zone.

Salley also came up huge earlier in the contest, catching a 52-yard bomb to help the Blue Dragons escape from deep in their own territory.

Through two games this season, Salley leads the team with seven receptions for 180 yards and four touchdowns. The weekly honor marks his first career conference recognition.

On the defensive side, Haines turned in a career-best performance against the Reivers with a team-leading 12 tackles. The 6-3, 209-pound linebacker from McPherson recorded five solo stops and added 2.5 tackles for loss in the defensive effort.

Haines delivered key fourth-quarter stops during two crucial defensive stands that ultimately set up the Blue Dragons' game-winning touchdown drive with 2:20 remaining.

Both players earned their first career conference player of the week awards following the victory that showcased why Hutchinson sits atop the national junior college rankings.