Rochester, Mn-
In the first regular season NJCAA football poll, the Minnesota College Athletic Conference maintains a two-team presence at the national stage. The 2016 MCAC champion Central Lakes College is listed at the #14 spot, down one notch from #13, while North Dakota State College of Science continues to remain in the 'Receiving Votes' category in the list released today by the National Junior College Athletic Association office in Colorado Springs, Colorardo. Both squads opened up 2017 with MCAC victory.
The CLC Raiders and head coach Greg Medeck spent their first game day on the road, traveling to Worthington, Minnesota, where they tangled with Minnesota West Community & Technical College. The Bluejays put up a fight, and it took a momentum-changing 95-yard fumble-recovery for a touchdown as the first half expired by Marnez Trotter to give Central Lakes a 7-6 lead at the break. A back-and-forth affair was put to bed in the final stanza as the Raiders pulled away with three fourth quarter touchdowns. Trotter's overall performance in Week 1 earned him the MCAC Eastern Division Defensive Player-of-the-Week.
North Dakota State College of Science enjoyed the opportunity to start 2017 at home in Wahpeton, North Dakota, but ran up against a determined Vermilion Community College squad that battled across all four quarters in the MCAC opener for both teams. The NDSCS Wildcats secured a 23-20 over the Ironmen, thanks in large part to special teams play, including a three field goal performance by kicker Gregory Slade, who also nailed his two PAT's on the day. Slade was named the MCAC Western Division Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.
While there was not much movement in the poll this week among most NJCAA teams, one would assume that will change substantially after Week 2, as #14 Central Lakes and (RV) North Dakota State College of Science will square off in Brainerd, at 1:30pm.
For the complete NJCAA Football poll, click here.
Statistical leaders in MCAC Football are now available. Go to this link for the top individual performers in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference.
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.