2025 Valley City State Vikings football team
American college football season
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The 2025 Valley City State Vikings football team represents Valley City State University in the Frontier Conference during the 2025 NAIA football season. The team is led by 29th-year head coach Dennis McCulloch and plays its home games at Dacotah Bank Field at Lokken Stadium in Valley City, North Dakota.
- Dennis McCulloch (29th season)
| 2025 Valley City State Vikings football | |
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| Conference | Frontier Conference |
| Record | 6–4 (3–3 Frontier) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Dustin Yorek (5th season) |
| Defensive coordinator | Gregg Horner (29th season) |
| Captains |
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| Home stadium | Lokken Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 5 Montana Tech x^ | 6 | – | 0 | 12 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 25 Dakota State | 5 | – | 1 | 8 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rocky Mountain | 4 | – | 2 | 4 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Valley City State | 3 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mayville State | 2 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dickinson State | 1 | – | 5 | 3 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Montana State–Northern | 0 | – | 6 | 1 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 4 College of Idaho x^ | 6 | – | 0 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 13 Carroll (MT) ^ | 5 | – | 1 | 9 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 18 Montana Western | 4 | – | 2 | 7 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Oregon | 3 | – | 3 | 4 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southern Oregon | 2 | – | 4 | 3 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arizona Christian | 1 | – | 5 | 2 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simpson (CA) | 0 | – | 6 | 0 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2025 season marks Valley City State's first year competing in the Frontier Conference after the collapse of the North Star Athletic Association. VCSU and Mayville State formally joined the Frontier in August 2025 following a conference-wide realignment.[1] In the preseason Frontier coaches’ poll, the Vikings were picked to finish sixth in the East Division.[2]
Valley City State opened the season with a challenging non-conference schedule, including games against Dickinson State, Augsburg, Eastern Oregon and Simpson (CA).[3] The Vikings secured two historic road victories during the year, earning the program's first-ever win in the state of Oregon and first-ever win in the state of Montana with defensive battles at Eastern Oregon and Montana State University–Northern.[4] VCSU finished the season 6–4 overall and 3–3 in Frontier East play, placing fourth in the division.[5]
In their first season as members of the Frontier Conference, the Vikings were picked to finish sixth in the East Division but exceeded expectations by placing fourth.[6][7]
After dropping the opener at nationally ranked Dickinson State, Valley City State responded with three straight non-conference victories, including shutout wins over Augsburg and rival Mayville State University and a 3–0 road victory at Eastern Oregon University. The Vikings later added a 13–7 win at Montana State University–Northern, marking the program's first football victory in the state of Montana.[8][9] VCSU finished 6–4 overall and 3–3 in Frontier East play.[10]
Offseason
Incoming transfers
Over the off-season, Valley City State added 9 players from the transfer portal and junior college levels.
| Name | Pos. | Height | Weight | Hometown | Year | Prev. school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Raquino | LB | 6'0" | 220 | Wahiawa, HI | Junior | Hawaii |
| Kassius Ashtiani | WR | 5'7" | 160 | Irvine, CA | Redshirt Sophomore | Riverside Community College |
| Devyne Pearson | RB | 5'8" | 180 | Moreno Valley, CA | Junior | Riverside Community College |
| Simon-Peter Johnson | WR | 6'0" | 190 | Sierra Vista, AZ | Sophomore | New Mexico Highlands University |
| Joey Cave | QB | 6'0" | 190 | Rio Rancho, NM | Redshirt Junior | New Mexico Highlands University |
| Adam Adeboye | OL | 6'4" | 320 | Brooklyn Park, MN | Redshirt Sophomore | Minnesota State University Moorhead |
| Taalmyn Staton | DL | 5'10" | 260 | Bridgeport, CT | Redshirt Junior | Mount Marty University |
| Matthew Jacquot | OL | 6'3" | 280 | Cheyenne, WY | Redshirt Junior | Chadron State College |
| Walker Brondos | K | 6'0" | 175 | Wilkesboro, NC | Redshirt Sophomore | Lenoir Rhyne University |
Incoming freshman
Over the off-season, Valley City State added 35+ players from the high school level.[12]
| Name | Pos. | Height | Weight | Hometown | Year | Prev school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kade Swenson | DB | 6'0" | 177 | Dilworth, MN | Freshman | Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School |
| Eli Leaver | QB | 6'0" | 193 | Tampa, FL | Freshman | Chamberlain High School |
| Jeremy Yoder | QB | 6'1" | 193 | Lewiston, ID | Freshman | Lewiston High School (Idaho) |
| Taylor Stefonowicz | QB | 6'7" | 167 | Horace, ND | Freshman | Horace High School |
| Chad Colburn | DB | 5'10" | 140 | Aiea, HI | Freshman | Aiea High School |
| Iosua Letuli | LB | 6'0" | 225 | Honolulu, HI | Freshman | Kaimuki High School |
| Bradyn Bossert | DB | 5'10" | 195 | Velva, ND | Freshman | Velva High School |
| Mariano Sison | DB | 5'8" | 164 | Aiea, HI | Freshman | Aiea High School |
| Noah Nelson | DB | 6'0" | 166 | Roseburg, OR | Freshman | Roseburg High School |
| Shayzen Lopes | DB | 6'0" | 161 | Waianae, HI | Freshman | Waianae High School |
| Eric Saau | LB | 5'9" | 186 | Aiea, HI | Freshman | Aiea High School |
| Cayden Isaak | LB | 6'0" | 185 | Beulah, ND | Freshman | Beulah High School |
| Taurus Allen | DL | 6'3" | 230 | Murfreesboro, TN | Freshman | Oakland High School (Tennessee) |
| Haiden Crow | LB | 5'11" | 208 | Detroit Lakes, MN | Freshman | Lake Park-Audubon High School |
| Brody Weisenburger | DL | 6'2" | 292 | New Rockford, ND | Freshman | New Rockford-Sheyenne Public School |
| Cole Henderson | DL | 6'2" | 216 | Rolla, ND | Freshman | Rolla High School |
| Bayette Akaka-Folau | DL | 6'4" | 236 | Kapolei, HI | Freshman | Kapolei High School |
| Nevin Daley | OL | 6'5" | 369 | Pisek, ND | Freshman | Park River High School |
| Matthew Cruz | OL | 6'0" | 306 | El Paso, TX | Freshman | Austin High School (El Paso, Texas) |
| Scot Rohde | DL | 6'3" | 270 | Valley City, ND | Freshman | Valley City High School |
| Rylen Coe | OL | 6'4" | 271 | Lake Benton, MN | Freshman | Elkton High School (SD) |
| Hunter Lukes | OL | 6'0" | 221 | Lisbon, ND | Freshman | Lisbon High School |
| Devin Cooper-Jackson | WR | 5'7" | 161 | North Pole, AK | Freshman | North Pole High School |
| Kaden Austin | WR | 5'9" | 153 | Roseburg, OR | Freshman | Roseburg High School |
| Slater Kaleiohi | WR | 5'6" | 140 | Waianae, HI | Freshman | Waianae High School |
| Brysen Ferreira | K | 5'5" | 130 | Waianae, HI | Freshman | Waianae High School |
| Tyson Ball | WR | 6'1" | 166 | Ewa Beach, HI | Freshman | James Campbell High School |
| Kyle Cotton | TE | 6'4" | 285 | St. Louis, MO | Freshman | St. Charles West High School |
| Grant Kinzel | TE | 6'5" | 240 | La Vernia, TX | Freshman | La Vernia High School |
| Jack Miller | DL | 5'10" | 231 | Fargo, ND | Freshman | Fargo North High School |
| Savili-Hiapo Castillo-Leovao | DL | 6'2" | 280 | Waimanalo, HI | Freshman | Kamehameha High School |
| Xander Moody | LS | 6'0" | 229 | Fargo, ND | Freshman | Fargo South High School |
| Jacob Foss | DL | 6'0" | 261 | Grand Forks, ND | Freshman | Grand Forks Red River High School |
Coaching staff changes
Departures
| Name | Position | New team | New position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Baldwin[13] | Quarterbacks / Wide receivers coach | Shelton High School (WA) | Head football coach |
| Alan Busey | Graduate assistant (Wide receivers) | Butte College | Assistant wide receivers coach |
Additions
| Name | Position | Previous team | Previous position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raynor Beierle | Offensive line coach | Northern State University | Graduate assistant (Offensive line) |
| Nate Pecoraro | Defensive line coach | Valley City State | Defensive line |
Preseason
Victory Sports Network preview
On July 22, 2025, Victory Sports Network released its preseason preview of the Frontier Conference East Division, projecting Valley City State to finish third behind Montana Tech and Dickinson State.[14]
Victory Sports Network identified Valley City State as a contender in the Frontier Conference East Division, noting the return of 13 starters led by wide receiver Jake Deutsch, offensive lineman Jonah Larson, tight end Trent Finney, defensive lineman TaQuez Chatman, and defensive backs Gavin Gerhardt and Emanuel Spiyee. The preview also highlighted transfer quarterback Joey Cave, an honorable mention All-RMAC selection at New Mexico Highlands, as a potential difference-maker for the Vikings.
| Predicted finish | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Montana Tech |
| 2 | Dickinson State |
| 3 | Valley City State |
| 4 | Dakota State |
| 5 | Rocky Mountain |
| 6 | Mayville State |
| 7 | Montana State–Northern |
Frontier Conference coaches poll
The Frontier Conference released its 2025 East Division football coaches' preseason poll on August 18, 2025. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.[16]
| Predicted finish | Team | Points | First-place votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana Tech | 34 | 4 |
| 2 | Dickinson State | 33 | 3 |
| 3 | Rocky Mountain | 25 | — |
| 4 | Dakota State | 21 | — |
| 5 | Mayville State | 14 | — |
| 6 | Valley City State | 13 | — |
| 7 | Montana State–Northern | 7 | — |
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 28 | 7:00 p.m. | at No. 13 Dickinson State* |
| L 15–30 | |
| September 4 | 6:00 p.m. | Augsburg* | W 27–0 | 200 | |
| September 20 | 3:00 p.m. | at Eastern Oregon* |
| W 3–0 | |
| September 27 | 2:00 p.m. | Simpson (CA)* |
| W 27–21 | |
| October 4 | 12:00 p.m. | Rocky Mountain |
| L 21–31 | 300 |
| October 11 | 1:00 p.m. | Mayville State |
| W 21–0 | 300 |
| October 18 | 4:00 p.m. | at Dakota State | L 7–40 | 507 | |
| October 25 | 1:00 p.m. | Dickinson State |
| W 29–21 | 250 |
| November 8 | 1:00 p.m. | at Montana State–Northern |
| W 13–7 | |
| November 15 | 2:00 p.m. | at No. 4 Montana Tech |
| L 0–41 | 3,254 |
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Personnel
Coaching staff
- Dennis McCulloch – Head Coach / Defensive Backs (32nd season)
- Gregg Horner – Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers (32nd season)
- Dustin Yorek – Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers (7th season)
- Brandon Bouma – Recruiting Coordinator / Running Backs / Tight Ends / Kickers (9th season)
- Raynor Beierle – Offensive Line (1st season)
- Jahidi West – Defensive Graduate Assistant / Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Backs (2nd season)
- Leon Smith – Offensive Graduate Assistant / Offensive Line (1st season)
- Nate Pecoraro – Defensive Line (5th season)
- Trent Kosel – Offensive Assistant (4th season)
- Dave Rausch – Defensive Assistant (38th season)
Roster
| 2025 Valley City State Vikings football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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Postseason awards
All-Frontier East First Team
- DL TaQuez Chatman – Sr.[18]
All-Frontier East Second Team
- DB Gavin Gerhardt – Jr.[19]
All-Frontier East Honorable Mention
- WR Jake Deutsch – Jr.[20]
- LB Aiden Russell – Jr.[21]
- OL Taylor Jones – So.[22]
- OL Tommy Cox – Sr.[23]
- QB Joey Cave – Jr.[24]
Frontier Conference Academic All-Conference
- Adam Adeboye – Sr.
- Joseph Antonutti – So.
- Jaxon Baumgarn – So.
- Caden Belgarde – Jr.
- Walker Brondos – Fr.
- Joey Cave – Jr.
- TaQuez Chatman – Sr.
- Thomas Cox – Jr.
- Jacob Deutsch – Jr.
- Trent Finney – Sr.
- Gavin Gerhardt – Jr.
- Matthew Jacquot – Sr.
- Simon-Peter Johnson – So.
- Taylor Jones – Jr.
- Lorenzo Luchi – So.
- Carter Lyon – Jr.
- Nicholas Mears – Jr.
- James Miller – So.
- Jack Miller – So.
- Xander Moody – So.
- Brody O'Keefe – So.
- Collin Peck – So.
- Owen Quail – Jr.
- Logan Rist – So.
- Atibordin Sophonsakulrat – So.
- Jace Stewart – So.
- Paul Webster – So.
- Reese Willprecht – Sr.[25]
Frontier Conference Champions of Character Award
- Wadley Lamy – Sr.[26]