MADISON, S.D. (NSAA) – The North Star Athletic Association announced its sixth edition of the Football Players-of-the-Week honors Monday. Jalen Pfeifer of Valley City State was selected to the Offensive Player-of-the-Week, while his teammate Jahidi West was chosen to the Defensive Player-of-the-Week. Jeremiah Paine of Dickinson State was named to the Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.
NSAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Jalen Pfeifer – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6’1″ – 205 lbs., Senior – quarterback – Rolette, N.D. – Pfeifer led a game-winning drive in the final minute, taking Valley City State (N.D.) 80 yards in 44 seconds with no timeouts for a 25-21 road win at Waldorf (Iowa). On that drive, he was 3-for-4 for 75 yards and the game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass to Benjamin Dumond with 12 seconds remaining. Pfeifer accounted for all three of VCSU’s touchdowns, passing for two fourth-quarter scores and rushing for one in the first quarter. He finished the game by going 16-of-32 for 263 passing yards. He also rushed two times for two yards.
NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Jahidi West – Valley City State (N.D.) – 5’10” – 205 lbs., Sophomore – linebacker – Stockton, Calif. – West filled up the stat sheet in Valley City State’s (N.D.) 25-21 road victory at Waldorf (Iowa). He tallied seven tackles (5 solo, 2 assist), 1 tackle-for-loss of 6 yards, two pass break-ups and a forced fumble in the fourth quarter that VCSU recovered. West and the Vikings’ defense held the Warriors to 252 total offensive yards, which was 160 yards below their season average.
NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Jeremiah Paine – Dickinson State (N.D.) – 6’1″ – 175 lbs., Sophomore – kicker – Grenora, N.D. – Paine hit a field goal and converted 4-of-5 PAT extra-point kicks in fueling Dickinson State (N.D.) to a 37-7 road victory at Mayville State (N.D.). He made a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 31-7. Paine also had three punts for a total of 123 yards (41.0 yards per punt), including a 61-yard punt. He had seven kick-offs for a total of 333 yards (47.6 yards per kick-off).
