GARDNER TAPPED AS KJCCC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Linebacker Lavar Gardner is this week's KJCCC Defensive Player of the Week. (Bre Rogers/Blue Dragon Sports Information)
Linebacker Lavar Gardner is this week's KJCCC Defensive Player of the Week. (Bre Rogers/Blue Dragon Sports Information)
October 15, 2019

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Hutchinson Community College sophomore linebacker Lavar Gardner had double-figure tackles for the fifth time in seventh games and led the Blue Dragon defense to their best effort of the season on Saturday in a 49-7 win over Coffeyville at Gowans Stadium.

The transfer linebacker from Atlanta was named the Jayhawk Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Red Ravens.

Gardner is the second Blue Dragon this season to earn conference Defensive Player of the Week honors, joining Latrell Bankston, who won the award in Week 5. This is the sixth time in 2019 that a Blue Dragon player has been honored as either an offensive, defensive or special teams' player of the week.

Gardner had 10 total tackles, including five solo stops against the Red Ravens. Gardner had four tackles for loss, including one quarterback sack. He also recovered a fumble with Coffeyville threatening in the first quarter.

Gardner is now eligible for NJCAA national honors. Those awards will be announced on Wednesday.