Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon quarterback Luke Barnes and placekicker Michael Mesh were named the Verizon/Jayhawk Conference Offensive and Special Teams players of the week for their efforts last Saturday against Air Force Prep.
Barnes, a 6-2, 192-pound freshman from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., tied for the second time this season Hutchinson’s single-game touchdown pass record with six as he led the No. 12 Blue Dragons to a school-record 724 total yards in a 66-7 victory over Air Force Prep.
Barnes, ranked the No. 1 passer in the NJCAA, completed 21 of 28 passes for 380 yards and touchdown passes of 67, 14, 49, 3, 31 and 28 yards. In six games, Barnes now has 2,056 yards, 25 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He is completing 65 percent of his passes.
This is the second time this season Barnes has been the league’s offensive player of the week.
Mesh, a 5-9, 179-yard sophomore who played in high school at Hutchinson Trinity Catholic, had his fourth career 10-point game, accounting for 12 points in the Blue Dragons’ victory over Air Force Prep.
Mesh was a perfect 9 of 9 on extra points and booted a 39-yard field goal. He is now 8 of 9 on field goals for the season. Mesh moved into No. 3 on HCC’s career scoring list with 146 points.
This is Mesh’s third weekly conference honor of the season.
Barnes and Mesh are the sixth and seventh Blue Dragons to earn Jayhawk Conference weekly honors.
Verizon and the Jayhawk Conference are in the third year of a partnership to honor the Jayhawk Conference’s weekly Players of the Week.
Both are now eligible for NJCAA national player of the week. That award will be announced on Wednesday.
(HCC Sports Information)
Blue Dragon Verizon/Jayhawk Conference Players of the Week
Week 1 – Luke Barnes, Offense
Week 2 – Michael Mesh, Special Teams
Week 3 – Terrell Lane, Offense
Week 4 – Michael Mesh, Special Teams
Week 6 – Miguel Johns, Special Teams
Week 7 – Luke Barnes, Offense
Week 7 – Michael Mesh, Special Teams
