Jayden Heartwell
Anchorage’s Jayden Heartwell averages an interception every 2.3 games, but he hadn’t reached the end zone until Saturday.
The Dickinson State University defensive back had his first pick six in the third quarter of a 48-17 win over Valley City State in North Dakota.
Heartwell, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior, furnished a 40-yard interception return in the third quarter as Dickinson State extended its lead to 34-3.
It was his fourth pick of the season and 12th in 28 career games for the NAIA school.
The win was the eighth in a row for 18th-ranked Dickinson State (8-1), which clinched the program’s ninth straight North Star Athletic Association title.
Heartwell, of South High fame, needs one more interception to move into a tie for the fifth-highest total in school history, matching Jeff Lebsock (1980-82) and Sean Henry (1993-96).
The Dickinson State record for picks in 24.
The Alaska playmaker has pieced together a strong career, adding 59 tackles, nine pass breakups and five forced fumbles.
The game also saw other Alaskans excel on offense.
Dickinson State tight end Galen Brantley III of Soldotna make two catches for 23 yards while Valley City quarterback Noah Chambers of Juneau threw for 121 yards and a touchdown and Valley City kicker Andrew Nielsen of Chugiak boot a career-long 33-yard field goal.