Valley City State's Exavian Westbrook has been named NSAA Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. It is the first NSAA Player of the Week honor for a Viking football player this season.

NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Exavian Westbrook – Valley City State (N.D.) – 5'7" – 145 lbs. – Sophomore – wide receiver – Orlando, Fla. – Westbrook scored a touchdown on a 96-yard kick-off return to help Valley City State (N.D.) to their 38-7 home victory over Jamestown (N.D.).  He totaled 117 yards on kick-off returns and finished with 149 all-purpose yards for the Vikings (32 receiving yards).  His 96-yard kick-off return for a touchdown came in the third quarter to balloon VCSU's lead to 21-7.

NSAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Semaj Clark – Dickinson State (N.D.) – 6'0" – 170 lbs., Junior – wide receiver – Rocklin, Calif. – Clark hauled in seven receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns to fuel No. 21 Dickinson State (N.D.) to a 38-21 road victory at Dakota State (S.D.).  He averaged 17.3 yards per catch in the game.  He caught a 23-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and added an 18-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.  Clark registered a game-long of 44-yard reception.  He also rushed for 11 yards.

NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Jayden Heartwell – Dickinson State (N.D.) – 6'1" – 205 lbs., Senior – defensive back – Anchorage, Alaska – Heartwell had two interceptions, one returned for a 'Pick Six' touchdown, in propelling the 21^st ranked Dickinson State (N.D.) to a 38-21 road victory at Dakota State (S.D.).  He returned a 26-yard 'Pick Six' interception return for touchdown to close the first quarter to give the Blue Hawks a 17-7 lead and never trailed in the game.  Heartwell also tallied six solo tackles.   

Recap from last week's games
Dickinson State (N.D.), who remained at No. 21 in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 national poll, stayed undefeated in the North Star conference play with a 38-21 road victory at Dakota State (S.D.) on Oct. 12.  The Blue Hawks extended their NSAA's conference winning streak to 37 games.  DiSU opened the game with a 17-7 lead after the first quarter and extended their lead to 24-14 by halftime.  Dickinson State outscored Dakota State 14-7 in the final thirty minutes of the game.  The Trojans outgained the Blue Hawks 337-329 in total offensive yards but committed six turnovers in the game to DiSU three turnovers.  Dickinson State is 5-1 overall record and 4-0 NSAA conference record.  Dakota State is 4-2 overall record and 2-2 record in the league.

Valley City State (N.D.) captured the first North Star conference victory this season, claiming the Paint Bucket traveling trophy with Jamestown (N.D.) by the score of 38-7 on Oct. 12 in Valley City.  The Vikings shut down the Jimmies 14-0 in the first half.  VCSU outscored UJ 24-7 in the final thirty minutes of the game to secure the victory.  Valley City State outgained Jamestown 343-212 in total offensive yards.  Valley City State is 2-4 overall record and 1-3 NSAA conference record.  Jamestown remained winless in six games this season and four games in the North Star conference.

Mayville State was idle last week with an overall record of 4-2 and 3-1 NSAA conference record.

Looking Ahead
The second half portion of the North Star Athletic Association schedule is set for Saturday, flip-flopping the home/away contests from the first half.

No. 21 ranked Dickinson State (N.D.) hosts Mayville State (N.D.) on Saturday, while Dakota State (S.D.) travels to Jamestown (N.D.).

Valley City State (N.D.) will take their second NSAA's conference bye week.

            Saturday, Oct. 19
            Mayville State (N.D.) @ (21) Dickinson State (N.D.) – 2 p.m. (Central Time)/1 p.m. (Mountain Time)
            Dakota State (S.D.) @ Jamestown (N.D.) – 4 p.m.
            NSAA Bye:  Valley City State (N.D.)

NSAA Football Standings
 

            Oct. 12 Results
            (21) Dickinson State (N.D.) 38, Dakota State (S.D.) 21 – FINAL
            Valley City State (N.D.) 38, Jamestown (N.D.) 7 – FINAL