A pair of Independence players and a special teams player from Fort Scott were tapped as KJCCC Football Players of the Week for the sixth week of a tremendous football season.

Back-up quarterback Tyriq Starks and linebacker James Djonkam played major rolls in No. 3 Independence rallying from 14 points down to defeat No. 3 Hutchinson 33-28 last week in Hutchinson to earn KJCCC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively. Fort Scott kicker Gate Theus has a tremendous day as the Greyhounds snapped a long losing streak in a victory over RPA to earn Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Tyriq Starks, Independence

With the Pirates down 21-7 with 11 minutes left in the third quarter, Tyriq Starks entered the game. In his first drive, he contributed a rush for 25 yards, and was 2 of 2 passing for 30 yards with a TD pass. The Blue Dragons returned the favor with a TD on the ensuing drive to make it 28-14. After that, Starks continued to be electric, leading the offense to 19 unanswered points and slinging the ball to Deontay Wilson for a 52 yard score to take the Pirates first lead of the game with 6 seconds left. In a tale of two halves, Starks two-quarter performance of 15/22 passing for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns, and 6 rushes for 40 yards, led the Pirates to their first victory at Hutch in five years. The Pirates remain unbeaten at the top of the Jayhawk conference, ranked third in the country.

OTHERS NOMINATED: Anwar Lewis, Hutchinson; Dariyus Lassiter, Butler; William Knight, Garden City; Jay Taylor, Fort Scott.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - James Djonkam, Independence

For the second straight week, the Pirates defense was led by linebacker James Djonkam. At Hutch, Djonkam totaled nine tackles, including six solo, and a sack/fumble in the fourth quarter that was recovered at the Blue Dragons 20 yard line, before being punched in for a touchdown on the ensuing drive, to bring the game within five points. Djonkam led a stellar second half defensive effort that resulted in 19 unanswered points for the Pirates after Hutch jumped out 28-14 lead halfway through the third quarter. On the day, the Pirates defense held the Blue Dragons to 127 rush yards on 43 attempts and won the turnover battle 3-1.

OTHERS NOMINATED: Ja'mez Drummer, Hutchinson; Jacob Hollins, Gardne City; Zach Switzer, Fort Scott

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Gage Theus, Fort Scott

Fort Scott's Gage Theus totaled 11 points for the team, had 334 kickoff yards to go along with three touchbacks. He averaged 40 yards a punt with a long of 62. Went 5 for 5 on Extra Points and 2 for 4 on field goals with one being blocked. Theus is tied for the conference lead in field goals made.

OTHERS NOMINATED: Stefaan Forbes, Independence; Corry Wilhoit, Dodge City