October 19, 2026

HELENA, Mont. – The Frontier Conference announced its eighth edition of the 2026 Erck Hotels/Frontier Conference Football Players-of-the-Week honors Monday following the latest week of conference football action.

Offensive Player of the Week
Tray Hettick, Dakota State (S.D.)
Quarterback | Senior | Selby, S.D.

Hettick delivered another impressive performance through the air, completing 27-of-32 passes for 351 yards and four touchdowns in Dakota State's 42-21 Frontier Conference East Division road victory at Valley City State (N.D.).

He completed an outstanding 84.4 percent of his passes without throwing an interception. He tossed three touchdown passes in the second quarter, helping the Trojans build a 28-14 halftime advantage. Dakota State never trailed in the contest.

Hettick averaged 11.0 yards per pass attempt and finished with a passing efficiency rating of 217.8. He also added two rushing yards on four attempts.

He continues to establish himself among the nation's elite quarterbacks. He leads the NAIA with 2,624 passing yards and is tied for the national lead with 26 touchdown passes. His 26 passing touchdowns also rank third on Dakota State's single-season school record list.

This is Hettick’s second career Erck Hotels / Frontier Conference Player of the Week award.

Defensive Player of the Week
Payton Howe, Eastern Oregon
Defensive Back I Senior I Arimo, Idaho

Howe turned in an outstanding defensive performance in Eastern Oregon's thrilling 49-45 homecoming victory over Southern Oregon.

He recorded seven total tackles, including five solo stops and two assisted tackles. He also registered one tackle for loss and two pass breakups.

Howe delivered one of the game's biggest plays with a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown, helping propel the Mountaineers to the four-point victory.

This is Howe’s first career Erck Hotels / Frontier Conference Player of the Week award.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Connor Sullivan, Carroll (Mont.)
Wide Receiver I Senior I Kalispell, Mont.

Sullivan provided an explosive start to the second half in No. 11 ranked Carroll's 45-31 road victory over Simpson (Calif.).

He returned the opening kickoff of the second half 91 yards for a touchdown, marking his first kickoff return touchdown of the season and providing a momentum-changing play for the Fighting Saints.

Sullivan finished the contest with three kickoff returns for 131 yards, averaging 43.7 yards per return. His longest return was the 91-yard touchdown.

He also contributed offensively with two receptions for 10 yards, finishing with 141 all-purpose yards in Carroll's victory.

This is Sullivan’s second career Erck Hotels / Frontier Conference Player of the Week award.
 

	Offense	Defense	Special Teams
No. 8 - Oct. 19	Tray Hettick - Dakota State (S.D.)	Payton Howe - Eastern Oregon	Connor Sullivan - Carroll (Mont.)
No. 7 - Oct. 12	Ya'J Vance - Simpson (Calif.)	Brody Jenness - Dickinson State (N.D.)	Casey Kautzman - Montana Tech
No. 6 - Oct. 5	Javonte King - Rocky Mountain (Mont.)	Ryan Racht - Dickinson State (N.D.)	Eddie Ballanco - Carroll (Mont.)
No. 5 - Sept. 28	Kaden LaPlaunt - Montana Western	Tamareon Foster - Dakota State (S.D.)	Trezell Patterson - College of Idaho
No. 4 - Sept. 21	Caden Young - College of Idaho	Monte Pettichord - Eastern Oregon	Gage Norslien - Carroll (Mont.)
No. 3 - Sept. 14	Kallen Gutridge - Eastern Oregon	Kellan Beller - Montana Tech	Nik Halvorson - Dickinson State (N.D.)
No. 2 - Sept. 7	Eli Nourse - Montana Western	Christian Hansen - Montana Tech	Josh Horn - College of Idaho
No. 1 - Aug. 31	Tray Hettick - Dakota State (S.D.)	Asher Feddes - Montana Tech	Josh Horn - College of Idaho