2019 KJCCC FOOTBALL POSTSEASON AWARDS ANNOUNCED

By Steve Carpenter
KJCCC Sports Information Directors Association Football Chairperson

Find all the selections here : https://kjccc.org/sports/fball/2019-20/All-KJCCC_Football_2019.pdf

November 14, 2019 -- After one of the craziest seasons in Jayhawk Conference football history, the league has announced its postseason awards.

Dodge City receiver Daquan Bailey-Brown and Independence running back Morgan Ellison were named the league's co-Offensive Players of the Year. Hutchinson defensive end Latrell Bankston was the KJCCC's Defensive Player of the Year and first-year Independence head coach Kiyoshi Harris was named the conference's 2019 Coach of the Year. 

CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Daquan Bailey-Brown, WR – Dodge City Community College

A 5-foot-10, 175-point sophomore from Parkland, Florida, Daquan Bailey-Brown led the KJCCC in yards per catch and ranked in the top four of higher in every other receiving category in the Jayhawk this season.

Bailey-Brown caught 42 passes for 718 yards and six touchdowns. He ranked fourth in the KJCCC in total receptions, third in total yards and second in touchdown receptions. His 79.8 yards per game ranked second in the league and he led the conference at 17.1 yards per catch.

Bailey-Brown had a season-high 13 catches totaling 191 yards with a touchdown against Highland. He had eight receptions for 191 yards and two scores against Garden City. Bailey-Brown had five games of five or more receptions.

Morgan Ellison, RB – Independence Community College

A 6-2, 235-pound redshirt-sophomore from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Morgan Ellison helped Independence win its second league championship in the last three seasons.

Ellison rank for 648 yards in 10 games in 2019. He rushed 98 times and averaged 6.6 yards per carry, which was second in the KJCCC. His 64.8 yard-per-game average ranked fourth. Ellison rushed for eight touchdowns.

Ellison rushed for a season-high 95 on 10 carries against Ellsworth. He had 76 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns in a conference title-clinching win over Highland.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Latrell Bankston, DT – Hutchinson Community College

A 6-1, 299-pound defensive tackle from Woodstock, Georgia, Latrell Bankston was the dominant player on one of the Jayhawk Conference's top defenses in 2019.

Bankston was third on the team with 58 total tackles, including 21 solo stops. He had 21.5 tackles for loss that totaled 103 yards. Included in that total is 10.5 quarterbacks, which ranks second in the KJCCC. Bankston also ranks second in the KJCCC in tackles for loss, Bankston also has eight quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Bankston had a season-high 13 total tackles and four quarterback sacks in a narrow loss to Garden City. He had eight tackles and two sacks in a 34-27 win at No. 2 Iowa Western and seven tackles and two sacks in a victory over No. 2 Butler.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Kiyoshi Harris, Independence Community College

Taking over a program that went through a tumultuous off-season, Kiyoshi Harris provided a calming influence. It was that demeanor that helped the Pirates navigate the rough early-season waters and ultimately into a position to win a KJCCC championship.

The Pirates finished 2019 with an 8-2 overall record. The only losses coming to Hutchinson and Iowa Western. Harris and the Pirates earned an early statement win with a 31-28 victory at Garden City on September 14.

Independence finished the season with four-straight wins by an average of 36.0 points per game.

Harris guided the Pirates to their second KJCCC title in the last three seasons.