MADISON, S.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced its tenth edition of the Football Players-of-the Week honors Monday. Jalen Pfiefer of Valley City State (N.D.) was selected to the Offensive Player-of-the-Week, while  his teammate Gavin Wright was chosen as the Defensive Player-of-the-Week. Caleb Nielsen of Dakota State (S.D.) was  named to the Special Teams Player-of-the-Week. 

NSAA Football Offensive Player of the Week 

Jalen Pfiefer – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6’1” – 205 lbs., Senior – quarterback – Rolette, N.D. – Pfeifer threw for two  first-half touchdowns, helping Valley City State (N.D.) to a 14-0 lead and held to a 14-6 NSAA road victory at Dakota State  (S.D.). He was 13-of-29 for 160 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Pfeifer also rushed seven times for 23  yards. He registered 14 punts in the game for a total of 469 yards (33.5 yards per punt). 

NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week 

Gavin Wright – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6’2” – 194 lbs., Freshman – defensive back – Hillsboro, N.D. – The  freshman linebacker was all over the field in his first career start in Valley City State’s (N.D.) 14-6 North Star conference  road victory at Dakota State (S.D.). He recorded eight tackles (3 solo, 5 assist), 1.5 quarterback sacks, 2.0 tackles-for loss of 13 yards, an interception and two pass break-ups. Wright was an anchor on VCSU’s defense team that held the  Trojans to just four yards rushing and 135 total yards.  

NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week 

Caleb Nielsen – Dakota State (S.D.) – 6’0” – 180 lbs., Junior – kicker – Waverly, Neb. – Nielsen recorded 10 punts for  a total of 443 yards, despite a 14-6 North Star Athletic Association conference home defeat to Valley City State (N.D.).  His three punts went inside the 20-yard line and one punt was registered as a touchback. Nielsen recorded a game-long  punt of 66 yards and averaged 44.3 yards per punt. Three of his punts were more than 50 yards.