The Dickinson State (North Dakota) football team defeated Kansas Wesleyan 27-20 in the NAIA Football Championship Series First Round on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Dickinson.

Dylan Dahlgren, a 2022 graduate of Soldotna, had a sack for 11 yards and also had five tackles — three solo and two assisted. Dahlgren now has 10 sacks on the year.

Former Stars Galen Brantley III, Ala Tuisaula and Hakoa Montoya also are on Dickinson State, but did not play.

Dickinson State is 10-1 and won its 10th straight North Star Athletic Association championship this season. The Blue Hawks have won 41 straight in the NSAA. Dickinson State had not hosted a playoff game since 2004.

The No. 14 Blue Hawks will take on No. 4 Montana Western in Dillon, Montana, in the next round.

Also, 2023 Soldotna graduate Brayden Taylor was named Defensive Player of the Week for Sierra College in Rocklin, California. Taylor, a defensive back, has 33 tackles — 14 solo and 19 assisted — this season.

Sierra College plays in the California Community College Athletic Association.