October 28, 2024
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) announced their ninth edition of the 2024 Football Players-of-the-Week honors Monday. Zach Hammett of Jamestown (N.D.) was named as the Offensive Player-of-the-Week, while his teammate Ezra Belingheri was selected as the Defensive Player-of-the-Week for the second straight week. Carson Sauseda of Dakota State (S.D.) was chosen as the Special Teams Player-of-the-Week.
NSAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Zach Hammett – Jamestown (N.D.) – 5’7” – 200 lbs., Junior – running back – Mohave Valley, Ariz. – Hammett had a career-high 116 yards rushing and a touchdown in Jamestown’s (N.D.) 21-14 road victory at Mayville State (N.D.). He found the end zone for the fourth consecutive game for the Jimmies. He averaged 6.8 yards per rush in the game. Hammett rushed for a 3-yard touchdown in the early third quarter to put Jamestown up 14-0.
NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Ezra Belingheri – Jamestown (N.D.) – 5’9” – 200 lbs., Senior – linebacker – Sparks, Nev. – Belingheri returned an interception of 39 yards for a touchdown in helping Jamestown (N.D.) to a 21-14 road victory at Mayville State (N.D.). He was also credited with a forced fumble and fumble recovery to go along with eight tackles. Belingheri also recorded 2.5 tackles for loss of five yards.
NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Carson Sauseda – Dakota State (S.D.) – 5’10” – 200 lbs. – Junior – kicker – Georgetown, Texas – Facing windy conditions, Carson Sauseda hit a clutch field goal of 19 yards in the late fourth quarter to pull away past Valley City State (N.D.) 13-6. He scored a field goal with nearly four minutes left in the game. Sauseda went 3-for-3 on kicks in the game, including a pair of field goals of 26- and 19-yards. He added the PAT extra point kick. He registered five kickoffs for 242 total yards (48.4 yards per kickoff) with two touchbacks.
Recap from last week’s games
Jamestown (N.D.) ballooned their winning streak to two games after holding off Mayville State (N.D.) 21-14 at Jerome Berg Field in Mayville, N.D., on Oct. 26. The Jimmies opened with a 7-0 lead and extended their lead to 14-7. The Comets rallied back to knot the game at 14-14 in the fourth quarter, followed by Jimmies’ touchdown on the ensuing possession for the victory. Jamestown outgained Mayville State 311-122 in total offensive yards. UJ improved their overall record to 2-6 and 2-4 NSAA conference record. MSU fell to 4-4 overall record and 3-3 record in the league.
Dickinson State (N.D.), who moved back to No. 21 in last week’s ranking, was idle. After the Comets’ defeat, the Blue Hawks clinched at least a share of the North Star Athletic Association regular-season title. DiSU had won their 10
th consecutive league title. Dickinson State is 6-1 overall record and undefeated in NSAA conference play at 5-0 record.
Dakota State (S.D.) snapped their three-game losing skid as they completed the North Star’s season series sweep of Valley City State (N.D.) at Brian Kern Family Stadium in Madison, S.D.
Looking Ahead
Valley City State (N.D.) returns home Saturday for the North Star contest with Mayville State (N.D.). Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.
No. 21 ranked Dickinson State (N.D.) looks to secure their outright North Star football regular season title on Saturday as they visit Jamestown (N.D.) at 3 p.m.
Dakota State (S.D.) will be idle on Saturday.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Mayville State (N.D.) @ Valley City State (N.D.) – 1 p.m.
(21) Dickinson State (N.D.) @ Jamestown (N.D.) – 3 p.m.
NSAA Bye: Dakota State (S.D.)
NSAA Football Standings
| School |
Overall
Record |
NSAA
Record |
Games
Behind |
Streak |
| (21) Dickinson State (N.D.) |
6-1 |
5-0 |
---- |
Won 4 |
| Mayville State (N.D.) |
4-4 |
3-3 |
2.5 |
Lost 2 |
| Dakota State (S.D.) |
5-3 |
3-3 |
2.5 |
Won 1 |
| Jamestown (N.D.) |
2-6 |
2-4 |
3.5 |
Won 2 |
| Valley City State (N.D.) |
2-5 |
1-4 |
4.0 |
Lost 1 |
Oct. 26 Results
Jamestown (N.D.) 21, Mayville State (N.D.) 14
– FINAL
Dakota State (S.D.) 13, Valley City State (N.D.) 6
– FINAL