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CITY, N.D (NewsDaktoa.com) In their closest game of the season the #22 Valley City State Viking football team held on to capture a 22-17 North Star Athletic Association win over  Dickinson State at Shelly Ellig Field on Saturday.

The win keeps the Vikings hopes of a postseason berth alive as they advance to 7-1 overall with a 4-0 conference record. The Blue Hawks fall to 3-4 on the year with a North Star record 1-1.

The Vikings put up the first two scores when Kurtis Walls found Antoine Griffin on a 86 yard and 4 yard touchdown pass.  

In the second quarter Dickinson got warmed up, putting in their first sore when running back Jesse Carney bolted 40 yards for a touchdown. After forcing the Vikings to punt, the Blue Hawks would cut their deficit to just three when Kicker Josh Borm booted 28 yard field goal. They would take the lead with just 30 seconds to play in the first half when quarterback Kaler Ray ran in his first touchdown from three yards out.

In the second half it was once again the Vikings who got the scoring started with their passing game. This time Walls found Zach Johnson in the end zone from 12 yards out.

Led by Nick McBeain who totaled 14 tackles and a sack, The Vikings would hold the Blue Hawks out of the end zone the entire second half.  Freshmen defensive end Darius Graves picked up two sacks bringing his team leading total to seven on the year.  

Thomas Cortes tacked on a 30 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter accounting for the game’s final score.

The Vikings offense was led by Walls who finished the game with 266 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Griffin led all receivers with 162 yards and two touchdowns. Ian Keller accounted for 118 yards rushing and played a pivotal role in helping the Vikings run out the clock at the end of the game.

The Blue Hawks running game was led by Carney’s 126 yards and one touchdown. Myren More added an extra 68 yards on 13 carries for Dickinson State. Kaler Ray was just 8 of 24 through the air with 123 yards.

VCSU is idle next week before wrapping up the season with Mayville State and Presentation College on the road.