Rochester, Mn-
The second week of football in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference offered teams one last chance to prepare for Divisional play which begins on Saturday, September 16th. A handful of gridiron student-athletes showed that they are more than ready to help their programs earn a playoff spot in the coming weeks, with some outstanding Week 2 performances in all facets of the game. Also debuting this week is the MCAC 'Stats Leaders' icon on our homepage. In the Stats Leaders section, MCAC student-athletes are listed in the same categories as found within the NJCAA national database.
The Eastern Division Players-of-the-Week are as follows:
MCAC Eastern Division Special Teams Player-of-the-Week:
In close game where field position was an important commodity, Rochester Community & Technical College punter Dylan DuMarce, showed the value of quality special teams play in his squad's 24-21 win at Dakota College-Bottineau on Saturday. DuMarce kicked 10 times for the Yellowjackets, placing three inside the 20 of the DCB 'Jacks. His longest kick of the day went for 54 yards, and the Rosholt, South Dakota native, had a 37.5 average for the outing. For his efforts in RCTC's first 2017 victory, DuMarce has been named the MCAC Eastern Division Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.
MCAC Eastern Division Defensive Player-of-the-Week:
Rochester Community & Technical College linebacker Brandon Perce was a part of 19 tackles in the Yellowjackets road win at Dakota College-Bottineau on Saturday. Perce, a sophomore, had 11 solo stops for Rochester, and was a part of 6.5 tackles for a loss against the 'Jacks. He forced a fumble while assisting on 8 additional tackles. Currently, Perce is leading the MCAC in Tackles-per-Game at 16.5 and is second in the nation in the same category. He is also 4th nationally in total tackles. Perce and his RCTC teammates will play their first home game of 2017 against Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College at 6pm Saturday.
MCAC Eastern Division Offensive Player-of-Week:
Central Lakes College faced one of the tougher tests available in MCAC football in Week 2, hosting North Dakota State College of Science in a re-match of the 2016 MCAC State Championship game. All-purpose back, Nuke Crowell, from Westland, Michigan, did his part and then some for the CLC Raiders, rushing 19 times for two touchdowns and hauling in two passes for 70 yards en route to a Central Lakes 22-10 victory. Crowell's two touchdowns were the difference in the game as the two teams were statistically comparable in most offensive categories other than the scoreboard. The Raiders currently sit 14th in the latest NJCAA national poll and will host Vermilion CC next week.
Other notable performances in Week 2:
Itasca Community College head coach Weldon Braxton secured his first victory for the Vikings in his team's 21-20 triumph over Ridgewater College on Saturday.
Lorine Parker followed up a POW performance in Week 1 with a tremendous effort in week two, rushing for 150 yards and a touchdown for Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College in a 44-6 loss to Northland CTC. Parker leads all of NJCAA football in yards per game at 174.0 per outing.
Vermilion CC linebacker Danilson Da Veiga-Semedo had 15 total tackles and a forced fumble in the Ironmen win over M State. He is currently 4th nationally in tackles per game, according to the NJCAA statistics page.
Jaleel Grimes, of Mesabi Range College, returned four kickoffs for a total of 104 yards against Minnesota West CTC, including a 39-yard effort while his special team teammate, Connor Cusick, hit a field goal and two PAT's, along with two punts downed inside the 20 for the Norsemen.
For more information on the 2017 Minnesota College Athletic Conference football season, be sure to bookmark these links:
MCAC Football Schedule/Results
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference website main page is: http://www.mcacsports.org/landing/index
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This release sponsored in part by Gopher Sport.
Gopher Sport, based in Owatonna, is an industry leader in Physical Education, sports and fitness equipment. Gopher Sport is dedicated to providing programs and departments with the products to improve fitness, develop skills, create fun and reach a high standard of learning and living. Gopher Sport has diligently served teachers, coaches and athletic directors around the world for over 65 years.