The Kansas City Chiefs have announced Coach of the Week honors for the fourth week of the season. The awards go to Platte County's Bill Utz and Bishop Miege's Jon Holmes.
The 2017 High School Coach of the Week fueled by Gatorade program is a joint initiative of the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League. This program is designed to recognize and reward Kansas City area high school coaches for superior performance on a weekly basis. The Chiefs Coach of the Week award is intended to honor individuals who are shaping today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.
Platte County defeated Liberty 35-28 in overtime. The victory moved the Pirates to 5-1 on the season while it was Liberty's first loss of the season.
"I am extremely blessed to be surrounded by extraordinary coaches, dedicated players, and a fantastic community that makes every Friday night a special event," Utz said. "I am extremely honored to receive that Kansas City Chiefs Coach of the Week award as recognition for our entire program. Thank you to the Chiefs and PrepsKC for the continued support."
Miege beat Blue Valley North 33-14 to extend the Stags winning streak to 16 dating back to the second week of the 2016 season. The 16-game mark eclipses the school's 15-game run in 2014-15.
"This award is an honor to our coaching staff," Holmes said. "We have a great staff of coaches that work hard each week to put our players in position to be successful. We are lucky to be surrounded by great players who work hard each week and care about each other. We are also blessed to have the support of the Miege community. It truly is a special place. Thank you to the KC Chiefs for all they do for high school football in Kansas City."
As a result of this honor, both schools will receive a $500 player health and safety grant from the Hunt Family Foundation and each school will receive a Gatorade Sideline Kit, including coolers, bottles and Gatorade products. Additionally, both coaches will be presented congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and a certificate recognizing their selection. Utz is now qualified for the Missouri Coach of the Year Award, while Holmes is now qualified for the Eric Driskell Kansas Coach of the Year Award, both of which will be voted on later this fall.
Prior to the 2017 season, the Kansas City Chiefs announced that the Kansas High School Coach of the Year Award would be renamed in memory of Eric Driskell, the former head coach at Blue Valley High School. Driskell was a three-time award recipient during his seven years with the football program and spent 14 years as the head coach of the boys' track and field teams. Driskell suddenly passed away in mid- February.
