The Kansas City Chiefs have announced their Coach of the Week honors for the seventh week of the season. The awards go to Center head football coach Bryan DeLong (Missouri) and Bishop Ward head football coach Greg Duggins (Kansas).
As a result of this honor, both schools will receive a $500 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation. Additionally, both coaches will be presented congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and a certificate recognizing their selection. Both coaches are now qualified for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which will be voted on later this fall. The Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award is selected by a panel comprised of the Missouri and Kansas Boards from the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.
Center remained undefeated after an impressive 53-27 win over a previously undefeated Pleasant Hill. The Yellowjackets' win this week solidified their first Missouri River Valley Conference West title since joining the league four years ago. DeLong said this is a direct reflection of the work of those involved in the program.
"What an honor it is for our program to be honored by the Kansas City Chiefs, an organization that defines class and doing the right thing at the highest level for so many years," DeLong said. "This award is a recognition of the many hours of hard work and putting the team first that our players, coaches, and community have poured into our program. We are blessed with an outstanding group of young men, and we would like to thank the Chiefs for recognizing this."
Bishop Ward earned a 26-6 win over Baldwin that guarantees the Cyclones their first winning regular season since 2009. It also clinched a spot in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Duggins said this award is about his players and not him.
"This honor is a recognition for the entire team and coaching staff," Duggins said. "I am extremely proud of how hard these young men have worked and the dedication they have shown in becoming a good football team. This senior group has shown great perseverance over the years, and they deserve the benefits and success that they are creating off and on the football field. I am blessed and grateful to have these young men in my life and the pride they have shown in themselves and in representing Bishop Ward."
In its 26th season, the 2022 High School Coach of the Week 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 while honoring individuals who are shaping today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.
The Kansas City Chiefs partner with PrepsKC to select Coaches of the Week from Missouri and Kansas each week. PrepsKC is the only complete multimedia coverage of high school football in the Kansas City Metro. For the last 13 years it has combined a dynamic web site, weekly magazine and comprehensive weekly radio show. More information about PrepsKC, including scores, schedules and coverage can be found at www.prepskc.com.
