Jayden Heartwell
Martin Jones
A pair of defensive backs from Alaska have established a No-Fly Zone in the North Star Athletic Conference.
Jayden Heartwell of Anchorage and Martin Jones of Wasilla are keeping the NAIA conference on lockdown this year.
Test them and find out.
Both Alaskans rank among the top-10 league leaders in both interceptions and pass breakups.
They have already showcased their ability to take over a game – like when Heartwell had two interceptions in one quarter or when Jones had a 75-yard pick six.
Both guys are playing like all-conference picks.
Heartwell, of South High fame, is a freshman at nationally ranked Dickinson State University.
The Blue Hawks are 6-2 and ranked 20th, moving up four spots after beating Mayville State 53-7 to improve to 6-0 in the NSAA conference.
Heartwell turned in the game of his life by grabbing two interceptions in the second quarter. On back-to-back possessions, no less.
He snuffed out two drives on his own – first making a pick in the end zone to deny Mayville State points and then making another pick to stop another drive.
Heartwell is tied for sixth in the conference with three interceptions and is tied with Jones for seventh in the league with five pass breakups. He’s also racked up 15 tackles and a forced fumble in seven games.
Meanwhile, Jones is balling out at Valley City State University.
The sophomore out of Colony High is tied for ninth in the conference with two interceptions and tied with Heartwell for seventh in the league with five pass breakups. He has matched his career high with 18 tackles in six games.
Last month, Jones scored his first touchdown in 16 career games after taking an interception 75 yards to the house against Presentation.
Valley City State (7-2, 5-2 NSAA) received votes in this week’s NAIA national poll.
