VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – What a better way to send your seniors off than with a victory? Or how about with a victory and getting some revenge on a team that gave you your first loss of the season just three weeks ago? Well, the VCSU Vikings took care of both of those today as they get the win at home against the Dakota State Trojans 33-7 to wrap up their season.
The Vikings received the opening kick off to start the action on the day. For the offense, they would move the ball down the field with ease on their opening drive. Jalen Pfeifer would cap off the drive by finding Wide Receiver Michael Cornelious in the end zone for the 5-yard touchdown pass. Nico Magana would add the PAT to give the Vikings the 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Later on in the quarter, after the Vikings defense did their job to force the Trojans to punt, the Vikings offense was back on the field. This time, Pfeifer would throw an interception to Safety Noah Guse. That is the fourth interception in the two games for Guse against Pfeifer. With a short field for the Trojan offense, the VCSU 39-yard line to be exact, Dakota State saw their chance to tie up the game. They would do just that, as running back Brenner Frulong of the Trojans would run one in from the 3-yard line, and with the PAT from Caleb Nielsen, the Trojans tie up the game at 7-7 with 0:28 left in the first quarter.
The Vikings offense was on the field to start the second quarter. On the first snap if the second frame, Pfeifer would have his pass deflected and intercepted by defensive lineman Braedon Wallenstein. Fortunately for VCSU the defense wouldn’t allow much of anything to come from the turnover. After a 3 and out from the Vikings offense, Pfeifer attempted to punt the ball away, but would have it blocked, and DSU would recover the ball at the VCSU 19-yard line. Once again the Vikings defense made their presence felt. As they forced the Trojans into a 4 and 1 situation at the VCSU 8-yard line. The Trojans would go for it, and the defense lead by Marshaun Jones and Garrett Pemelton would make the stop against the running back from the Trojans Brenner Frulong. The VCSU offense would come back out on the turf looking to take another lead in the ball game. Pfeifer would complete important passes on this drive to Michael Cornelious and Ben Dumond, who both did and excellent job of making sure their feet stay in bounds to complete their catches. Finally, Pfeifer once again would find Cornelious in the end zone, this time from 11-yards away to take the lead, and Nico Magana would add the extra point to give the Vikings the 14-7 lead with 1:06 left in the second quarter. Vikings would lead it 14-7 at the half.
Trojans would open up the third quarter with their offense on the field. However, they would throw a pass to Vikings linebacker Jahidi West. West would intercept the ball and be taken out of bounds at the Vikings 36-yard line with 9:50 left in the third quarter.
Moving ahead to the fourth quarter, Jalen Pfeifer, would rush in a touchdown of his own from the 1-yard line to extend the lead to 21-7. On the next offensive series for the Trojans they would see the Vikings add more points on the scoreboard. This time quarterback Josh Giles threw an interception to VCSU Senior cornerback Jerrod Williamson who would return it the 30-yards for the score, the PAT was no good but the Vikings extend their lead to 27-7 with 13:08 left in regulation. Just for good measure, Jalen Pfeifer decided it was time to add one more touchdown pass to his great career for VCSU. Late in the fourth quarter, he would find Ben Dumond for the 4-yard touchdown pass and extend the lead to 33-7. VCSU would go on to win by the score of 33-7.
The Vikings defense was a force all afternoon. Garrett Pemelton, Riley Gerhardt, Marshaun Jones, Sal Avila were all in the face of both Trojan quarterbacks all afternoon. The VCSU defense all season long was always there when need be, and constantly provided the team with energy and momentum after big stop after big stop.
With the win, the Vikings finish the regular season with a record of 8-2. They get the win on senior day as they say good bye to the men who worked so hard for them over the years and provided great football for VCSU.