Raiders Sign Three to Play Football

Mitchell Janssen (Orange City, Iowa), Taylor Vander Ploeg (Sioux Center, Iowa) and Maurice Davis Jr. (Mountain Pine, Ark.) have signed letters of intent to continue their football careers at Northwestern College next year. Davis will also run track for the Red Raiders.

Janssen is a 6’0”, 200-pound safety and running back who played three years for the MOC-Floyd Valley football team. Janssen missed last year due to injury but totaled 61 tackles and one interception his junior year. He also rushed for 98 yards and one touchdown. An honor roll student, Janssen plans to major in business or exercise science at Northwestern. He is the son of Paul and Sheila.

“We are obviously excited to have Mitchell come to Northwestern next fall,” said head coach Kyle Achterhoff. “He is very familiar with the Red Raider football family and we think he has a great future ahead of him. Mitchell was injured last year but we know that with his great work ethic, he will be ready to go next fall.”

Vander Ploeg is a 6’0”, 175-pound linebacker and tight end who played two years for Sioux Center. He totaled 11 tackles, including one for a loss, and helped lead his team to a 5-5 record. The son of Kevin and Connie, Vander Ploeg plans to major in physical therapy at Northwestern.

“We are happy that Taylor has chosen Northwestern and will be part of the Red Raider football family,” commented Achterhoff. “He played for a good high school program and was coached by a former Red Raider, which will help his transition to the college game and our defensive scheme.”

Davis Jr. is a 5’8”, 175-pound running back who played two years for Mountain Pine High School. Davis Jr. earned all-state honors after rushing for over 1,500 yards his senior year. He totaled 252 receiving yards and also led the state in kick and punt return yards. For his career, Davis Jr. rushed for nearly 2,400 yards and totaled 26 touchdowns. The son of Gwendolyn and Willie Logan, Davis Jr. plans to major in criminal justice at Northwestern.

“We are very excited to have M.J. at Northwestern,” said Achterhoff. “His athleticism will create a lot of excitement and his speed will be a great addition in our offensive backfield.”

A four-year letter winner in track and field, Davis Jr.won the state championship in the triple jump as a senior.

“M.J. possesses outstanding speed and is a great athlete,” commented head track and field coach Nate Wolf. “He will make a significant impact on our team in the sprint events as well as the long jump and triple jump.”