MONTGOMERY EARNS 2ND NJCAA DEFENSIVE NATIONAL HONOR

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

For the second time in three weeks, Hutchinson Community College freshman linebacker Monty Montgomery has been named the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week.

Montgomery tied a 23-year-old Blue Dragon single-game record with 24 tackles against Garden City on Saturday at Gowans Stadium. The No. 4-ranked Blue Dragons dropped a narrow decision to No. 2 Garden City 24-21.

Montgomery had 11 solo tackles and 13 tackle assists as Hutchinson held Garden City's nation-leading rushing offense 150 yards under average. The freshman from Grayson, Georgia, tied Rich Robisch's mark of 24 tackles set in the 1995 season.

For the season, Montgomery has a team-high 69 tackles with three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, five quarterback sacks and three defensive touchdowns.

Two weeks ago, Montgomery was named the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week after scoring two defensive touchdowns in a 45-7 win at Dodge City.

This is the third NJCAA National Player of the Week award for the Blue Dragons. Kicker Sebastian Garcia was named the National Player of the Week on September 19.

The Blue Dragons play their final regular-season game of 2018 at Noon Saturday against Iowa Central.