Bluejay football still ranked second, volleyball now third

Minnesota West's football team once again ranks second in the latest NJCAA Division III football poll following its 66-7 win over Minnesota North College-Vermillion this past Saturday.

The top five teams in the poll remain the same, with No. 1 College of DuPage and the Bluejays followed in order by Hudson Valley Community College, Louisburg College and North Dakota State College of Science.

Minnesota West got its big win Saturday as QB Elijah Alexander had a hand in five touchdowns, passing for three and rushing for two. Alexander finished with 196 yards in the air and was also the leading Bluejay rusher with 10 carries for 98 yards.

Wide receiver Marlon Fluker wound up with three receptions for 107 yards and a pair of scores. Defensively, Terrance Pierre led the way with six total tackles — including three for loss and two sacks. Justin Spears returned an interception 57 yards for a TD, and Leuma Pomele and Taevion Brown also had picks.

The Lady Jays volleyball team, meanwhile, jumped from No. 6 to No. 3 in the NJCAA Division III poll. Dallas College Eastfield continues to hold the top spot, with Finger Lakes Community College now second. Sandhills Community College and Butler Community College are fourth and fifth. Century College, which Minnesota West beat Saturday, dropped from No. 2 to No. 6.

In college soccer, Minnesota West went 0-2-1 in matches last week to fall to 2-2-1 in conference play and 2-6-1 overall. The Bluejays lost 5-2 at the Northwestern College JV on Sept. 30, were edged 1-0 at Dakota County Community College this past Thursday and tied at Alexandria 1-1 on Saturday. Minnesota West hosts Riverland at 6 p.m. Wednesday.