Rochester, Mn-
In what can only be described as a wild and eventful Week 6 of football in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference, a handful of teams pulled off key wins to lay claim to the inside track for playoff participation and home field advantage. Amongst the entertaining games were a collection of great individual performances, the best of which have earned MCAC Football Week 6 Players-of-the-Week honors for the Western Division.
Offensive Player-of-the-Week:
The Week 6 match-up of two of the more prolific offenses in NJCAA football gave fans and followers a chance to watch an aerial dual between two top level quarterbacks. Northland CTC quarterback Shannon Patrick (West Palm Beach, Florida)threw for 470 yards, 5 touchdowns and only one interception, going 37-of-57 over the course of the game. His Minnesota West CTC counterpart, Peyton Kendrick was equally effective on the day, going for 479 yards passing, tossing 5 TD's and was picked off only once his his 56 attempts. Kendrick , from Tucson Arizona, led the Bluejays to 21 fourth quarter points and a come from behind victory, allowing Minnesota West to pick up their first Divisional win of 2017. The two quarterbacks combined for 974 yards of total passing on the day. Both leaders did everything possible to give their squad a chance to win the key Western showdown, and for their combined efforts, have garnered Co-Offensive Player-of-the-Week honors.
Defensive Player-of-the-Week:
Dakota College-Bottineau saved one of their best 2017 performances for their in-state rival North Dakota State College of Science, led in large part by linebacker Trent Postma. The Jacks 21-19 win over the Wildcats places them in sole possession of first place in the Western Division with two regular season contests yet to play. Potsma had 14 tackles on the day, all but one of them counting as solo stops. The sophomore from Lynden, Washington, found his way into the NDSCS backfield early and often, collecting two tackles for loss against Wildcat ball carriers. He also had one of Dakota College's three interceptions to complete a strong performance. For his outstanding outing in the rivalry game, Trent Postma is the Western Division Player-of-the-Week.
Special Teams Player-of-the-Week:
Fans around the MCAC recognize North Dakota State College of Science quarterback Malik Gaillard as one of the top performing QB's in the league in 2017. However, Gaillard can also help the Wildcats with his leg, specifically in handling punting duties for NDSCS. Against Dakota College-Bottineau, the sophomore from Osseo, Minnesota punted six times for 241 total yards. He uncorked a longest kick of 52 yards, placed two of his six inside the 20 yard line and had a 40.2 yard average boot. In a battle of field position between two of the best teams in the MCAC Western Division, Malik Gaillard has earned Special Teams Player-of-the-Week for his Week 6 performance.
Other Notable Performances Around the Western Division:
Minneosta West kicker/wide receiver Caleb Tinklenberg scored two touchdowns and hit 6-of-7 PAT's for the Bluejays in their win over NCTC.
Garrett Pemelton, a linebacker for North Dakota State College of Science, had seven solo tackles and 5 assists, to go with two tackles for loss for the Wildcats.
Dakota College-Bottineau quarterback Jackson Argoe was steady and reliable in his 13-of-24 passing performance against NDSCS, accounting for 1 passing touchdown and two on the ground for the Jacks.
Carl Borleis, the quarterback at Ridgewater College, went 14-of-27 for 407 yards, including a 85-yard completion against M-State.
Both Devin George and Jordan Rayford had interceptions for M State in their 20-3 loss to Ridgewater College on Saturday.
Action photo courtesy of Daily Globe, Worthington.
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MCAC Football Schedule/Results
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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.
About the Minnesota College Athletic Conference
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State system. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.