Exavian Westbrook was named the NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week

October 14, 2024

BISMARCK, N.D – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) has announced its seventh edition of Football 2024

The players of the week will be honored on Monday. Semaj Clark from Dickinson State (ND) was named Offensive Player of the

Week, while his teammate Jayden Heartwell was named Defensive Player of the Week. Exavian Westbrook from

Valley City State (ND) was named Special Teams Player of the Week.

NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week

Exavian Westbrook – Valley City State (ND) – 5’7” – 145 lbs. – Sophomore – Wide Receiver – Orlando, Florida. –

Westbrook scored a touchdown on a 96-yard kickoff return to help Valley City State (ND) to its 38-7 home win

Jamestown (ND). He totaled 117 yards on kickoff returns and finished with 149 all-purpose yards for the Vikings (32nd).

receiving yards). His 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown came in the third quarter, extending VCSU’s lead to 21-7.

NSAA Football Offensive Player of the Week

Semaj Clark – Dickinson State (ND) – 6’0″ – 170 lbs., Junior – Wide Receiver – Rocklin, California. – Clark caught up

Seven receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns gave No. 21 Dickinson State (ND) a 38-21 road win

Dakota State (SD). He averaged 17.3 yards per catch in the game. In the first game, he caught a 23-yard touchdown pass

quarter and added an 18-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Clark recorded a game-high 44 yards

Reception. He also rushed for 11 yards.

NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week

Jayden Heartwell – Dickinson State (ND) – 6’1” – 205 lbs., Senior – Defensive Back – Anchorage, Alaska –

Heartwell had two interceptions, one of which was returned for a pick six touchdown to pace 21st-ranked Dickinson State

(ND) to a 38:21 away win at Dakota State (SD). He returned a 26-yard pick six interception return for a touchdown

He finished the first quarter giving the Blue Hawks a 17-7 lead and never trailed in the game. Heartwell also achieved six solo performances

Tackles.

Summary of last week’s games

Dickinson State (ND), ranked No. 21 in the most recent NAIA Football Coaches National Top 25 Poll, remained

undefeated in North Star Conference play with a 38-21 road win at Dakota State (SD) on Oct. 12. The Blue

The Hawks extended their NSAA Conference winning streak to 37 games. DiSU opened the game with a lead of 17-7

in the first quarter and extended their lead to 24-14 by halftime. Dickinson State is 14-7 in its last thirty games against Dakota State

Minutes of the game. The Trojans outgained the Blue Hawks 337-329 total yards but committed six turnovers

DiSU had three turnovers in the game. Dickinson State has an overall record of 5-1 and an NSAA conference record of 4-0. Dakota

State has a 4-2 overall record and a 2-2 league record.

Valley City State (ND) picked up its first win in the North Star Conference this season, securing the paint bucket trip

Trophy with Jamestown (ND) with a score of 38-7 on Oct. 12 in Valley City. The Vikings defeated the Jimmies 14-0

the first half. VCSU outscored UJ 24-7 in the final thirty minutes of the game to secure the win. Valley City State

outscored Jamestown in total offensive yards 343-212. Valley City State has an overall record of 2-4 and an NSAA conference ranking of 1-3

record. Jamestown went six games and four games winless in the North Star Conference this season.

Mayville State was idle last week with an overall record of 4-2 and 3-1 in the NSAA conference.

Looking ahead

The second part of the North Star Athletic Association schedule is scheduled for Saturday, with home and away play alternating

Competitions from the first half.No. 21st-ranked Dickinson State (ND) hosts Mayville State (ND) on Saturday, while Dakota State (SD) travels there

Jamestown (ND).

Valley City State (ND) will be in its second week of NSAA conference play.

Saturday, October 19th

Mayville State (ND) @ (21) Dickinson State (ND) – 2:00 p.m. Central Time/1:00 p.m. Mountain Time

Dakota State (SD) @ Jamestown (ND) – 4 p.m

NSAA Bye: Valley City State (ND)

NSAA football rankings

School | Overall record | NSAA record | Games behind it | streak

(21) Dickinson State (ND) 5-1 4-0 —- 3 won

Mayville State (ND) won 4-2 3-1 1.0 3

Dakota State (SD) 4-2 2-2 2.0 Lost 2

Valley City State (ND) 2-4 1-3 3.0 Won 1

Jamestown (ND) 0-6 0-4 4.0 Lost 6

Results as of Oct. 12

(21) Dickinson State (ND) 38, Dakota State (SD) 21 – FINALLY

Valley City State (ND) 38Jamestown (ND) 7 – FINALLY