Valley City (VCSU) Valley City State University junior Sal Avila has been named the Defensive Most Valuable Player in North Star Athletic Association football, the conference office announced Monday.
Avila was one of 11 Vikings earning All-Conference honors Monday with the release of the NSAA Football Postseason Awards.
A linebacker from El Paso, Texas, Avila led the conference in tackles per game as he finished with 70 tackles in just seven games. He added two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. He is the first Viking to be named Conference Defensive MVP since Aaron Freije in 2012.
Avila was one of six Vikings named First Team All-Conference. Joining Avila on the First Team Defense are lineman Marshaun Jones and defensive back Jerrod Williamson. On the offensive side of the ball, linemen Troy Dietz and Sammy Trejo and tight end Jorun Hamre were all named First Team Offense.
VCSU had five players earn Second Team All Conference, including four on the offense. Quarterback Jalen Pfeifer, running back Taylor Simmons, offensive lineman Berkley Santos and receiver Benjamin Dumond all earned Second Team honors. Linebacker Dustin Kasowski picked up Second Team Defense.
Honorable Mention honors went to defensive linemen Zachary Co and Riley Gerhardt, defensive back Paco Baltazar and receiver Michael Cornelious. Running back Joshua McKnight was named the NSAA Champion of Character recipient for VCSU.
Valley City State finished the fall season with a 5-2 record, placing second in the NSAA standings. The Vikings could potentially play 2-4 games yet during the spring season.
