Glen Ellyn, IL - The #2 ranked RCTC Yellowjackets and the #1 ranked College of DuPage Chaparrals faced off in the NJCAA National Championship at the Red Grange Bowl, in an epic match-up. With the outcome in doubt up until the final seconds the defending champions from COD came from behind to win 33-29. A thrilling game in which both teams left everything they had on the field.
The College of DuPage got out of the gates quickly as they took their first posession and drove 77 yards in just under 6 minutes for an opening score to lead 7-0. After a 29 yard Chaparral field goal early in the second half RCTC got their legs under them and drove 82 yards for a touchdown on an 11 yard pass from Devin Watson to Jairrus Nichols to cut the lead to 3 at 10-7. DuPage then scored twice on four yard touchdown runs by Jaden McGill to extend to a 24-7 half-time lead. McGill scored all three COD touchdowns in the first half.
Coach Isaac and his squad came out of the halftime break and played perhaps their best quarter of football of the season as they scored twice in the 3rd quarter to cut the COD lead to 24-21. The Jackets first score came on a 1 yard Watson TD run that capped a 4 play 55 yard drive with 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Jackets second score came on a 26 yard strike from Watson to Brady Walsh. Early in the fourth quarter the Jackets then faced a punt situation when Rodrigo Castenada unleashed a field position changing punt of over 70 yards that would have pinned COD deep in their own end, but a penalty on RCTC forced a re-kick. The penalty proved costly as COD picked up two points when the snap on the re-kick went over Castaneda's head for a safety. Trailing 26-21 the Jackets kept their wits about them and with 8:30 remaining went on a 7 play 61 yard drive capped by a 4 yard Raphael Manning TD run, after a successful 2 point conversion to Jakson Hart the Jackets had their first lead 29-26 with 5:08 remaining.
On the ensuing kickoff COD got a big return and took posession at the Jackets 29 yard line. Eight plays and 3 minutes and 56 second later COD converted a 3rd and goal for a 16 yard TD strike to reclaim the lead with 1:03 remaining. RCTC got the ball to midfield, but could not score as time ran out on RCTC's championship run.
For the game the Jackets outgained the Chaparrals 421-244. Had 22 first downs compared to 17 and threw for 390 yards to 134. COD outgained the Jackets on the ground 110-31. The Chaparrals also had 199 return yards. Both teams turned the ball over once, while the Jackets had a 31:35 to 28:25 advantage in time of posession. RCTC had 13 penalties for 134 yards while COD had 7 for 70 yards.
Watson was 27-44 for 390 yards and 2 passing TD's while rushing for 1. He was picked off one time. Brady Walsh led all receivers with 10 catches for 169 yards and a score. Jairrus Nichols had 8 catches for 94 yards and a TD, while Brady Rodgers had 4 catches for 73 yards. Jakson Hart picked up 3 catches for 45 yards, and the two point conversion. Manning led the Jackets in rushing with 16 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively the Jackets were led by Victor Marinez-Sosa with 9 tackles. Martell Williams had 7 tackles, while Mario Mndoza picked up 6 tackles and a sack. Keshawn Johnson and Seth Thomas also had sacks for the Jackets, while Johnson added 4 tackls for loss. Thomas picked up the Jackets lone turnover with an interception. Daniel Graham had 6 tackles including a pair of tacles for loss, while Michael Coble added 5 tackles.
The Jackets fantastic season comes to an end as RCTC finishes as the NCJAA Division III National Runner-up, the MCAC playoff Champions, and with a share of the MCAC regular season title. The team will be recognized and celebrated next Tuesday, December 5th at halftime of the RCTC men's basketball game.
