VALLEY CITY (vcsuvikings.com) – A cold and snowy Senior Day did not end Valley City State’s way during the Viking football season finale Saturday. With snow falling throughout the game, Waldorf University scored 14 fourth-quarter points and pulled away late to defeat Valley City State, 28-7.
The Vikings entered the game needing a victory to secure a share of the North Star Athletic Association Conference Championship. Valley City State came up short though as Waldorf’s top-ranked offense racked up 435 yards en route to the win.
Valley City State ends the season with a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 mark in conference play. Waldorf University also ends the year at 7-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play. The Vikings and Warriors finished tied for second in the NSAA standings, one game back of conference champion Dickinson State University – which defeated Mayville State 63-13 on Saturday.
VCSU senior running back Louis Quinones became the school’s all-time career rushing leader Saturday, racking up 129 yards and a touchdown as he finished his Viking career with 3,530 rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns. Quinones broke Derek Elliott’s career rushing mark of 3,489 yards and tied Elliott’s school record of 36 rushing TDs.
Quinones was one of 11 Viking seniors who played their final game Saturday and were recognized in a short ceremony before kickoff.
After the opening kickoff, the teams each traded a pair of scoreless drives before Waldorf University struck first. Waldorf’s James Jackson picked up a Quinones fumble and returned it 24 yards to the Viking 21-yard line midway through the first quarter. Two plays later Hilton Joseph hit Ryan Harrison for a 21-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Waldorf lead.
Waldorf’s defense then forced a three-and-out and the Warrior offense struck again. A 41-yard pass from Joseph to Treyvon Brinson set the Warriors up at the 4-yard line and then Joseph found Jeff Jones for another touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 1:44 left in the first quarter.
VCSU’s offense answered on the next possession, putting together an 11 play, 63-yard touchdown drive. Quinones did most of the work, carrying the ball nine times for 61 yards on the drive and capping it with a 3-yard score. Landon Arredondo added the extra point to cut the deficit to 14-7 – a score that would hold until the fourth quarter.
The Vikings appeared poised to tie the game on a drive late in the third quarter. VCSU converted a fake punt pass to Doniaj Smelker on 4th-and-10 from midfield, and then drove down to the 5-yard line for 1st-and-goal. Waldorf stuffed Quinones’ run for no gain on first down, and then the Vikings threw two incomplete passes. VCSU attempted a 23-yard field goal but Arredondo’s kick went wide right as Waldorf came away with a game-changing red zone stop.
The Warriors took over at the 20-yard line after the missed field goal and then proceeded to put the game away with a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that took 6:17 off the clock. Jeff Jones capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run. The Warriors added another touchdown later in the fourth quarter on a 50-yard pass from Joseph to Zach Morel.
Quinones led the Viking offense with a touchdown and 129 rushing yards on 29 carries. Caid Combs and Jake Peterson each caught three passes. Quarterback Jalen Pfeifer was 11-for-24 for 131 yards and an interception.
The Vikings gained 255 yards of total offense, including 124 on the ground and 131 through the air. Waldorf picked up 435 total yards – 321 of which came through the air.
Joseph had a big game for the Warriors, going 19-for-30 for 321 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Jeff Jones carried the ball 13 times for 62 yards and a score. Ryan Harrison caught three passes for 78 yards and a TD, and Zach Morel had five catches for 79 yards and a TD.
Marshaun Jones, Doniaj Smelker and Hunter Olson all had eight tackles for the Viking defense, and Olson broke up two passes. Arron Martin totaled seven tackles and broke up one pass. Andrew Hanretty added six tackles, and Vance Dumas had six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
Waldorf’s defense was led by 12 tackles – including two for loss – by Marcel Lindner. James Bell added nine tackles and a sack.