MADISON, S.D. – The Valley City State football team will play for a conference championship in its regular season finale next week.
The Vikings took care of business Saturday at Dakota State University, earning a 30-18 road victory over the Trojans. Valley City State improves to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play. The Vikings remain in a tie for first place in the NSAA standings, keeping pace with Dickinson State (7-2, 5-1 NSAA) which defeated Waldorf University by a score of 30-28 earlier Saturday afternoon.
That sets up an exciting season finale next Saturday when the Vikings host Waldorf University. If the Vikings win, they will earn at least a share of the NSAA conference championship and would earn an outright title if Mayville State can upset Dickinson State. VCSU’s last conference title came in 2014. Kickoff between the Vikings and Warriors is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, in Valley City.
Louis Quinones rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s win at Dakota State University. Quinones has now scored 35 career rushing touchdowns, one back of the school record set by Derek Elliott (36).
VCSU’s special teams gave the Vikings the momentum immediately on Saturday as Dustin Kasowski forced and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff return. Two plays later Quinones plunged into the end zone for a 7-0 Viking lead less than a minute into the game. Dakota State would score the next 10 points to take a 10-7 lead on a field goal midway through the second quarter.
The Vikings responded with a 7-play, 63-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Pfeifer to Jake Peterson. Landon Arredondo added the extra point to give the Vikings a 14-10 lead they would hold heading into the half.
VCSU received the second-half kickoff and again marched down the field, this time mounting an 8-play, 66-yard touchdown drive. Quinones finished off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to put the Vikings ahead 21-10.
Dakota State quarterback Torren Devericks rushed for a touchdown late in the third quarter – cutting the Viking lead to 21-16 – but VCSU’s Doniaj Smelker picked off the 2-point conversion pass and returned it 95 yards for a defensive PAT to put the Vikings back up 23-16. On their ensuing drive, VCSU milked 7 minutes and 14 seconds off the clock before Quinones found the end zone from 2-yards out – completing a 12 play, 66-yard drive that put the game away.
Arron Martin totaled 15 tackles to lead the Viking defensive effort, which held Dakota State to 282 yards of offense. Marshaun Jones, Doniaj Smelker and Hunter Olson each had eight tackles, and Sal Avila and Dustin Kasowski both had seven tackles and a forced fumble.
Quinones gained his 148 yards on 35 carries. VCSU quarterback Jalen Pfeifer went 11-for-14 for 123 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Kellen Kessler caught three passes for 27 yards, while Caid Combs had two catches for 20 yards. Jake Peterson caught just one pass, but made it count with a 30-yard touchdown in the back of the endzone.
Up next: Valley City State University hosts Waldorf University on Saturday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Lokken Stadium. It is also Senior Day for VCSU.