Iowa Western Seeks Third Consecutive National Title
For the fourth time in four seasons, the Iowa Western Reivers will have a chance to play in the NJCAA National Championship game and will play in the NJCAA Division 1 Football Playoffs.
The top-seeded Reivers (10-1) will play host to the fourth-seeded Rangers of Northwest Mississippi Community College (10-1) in a rematch of 2022's semifinal game in Mississippi. The game will be played at Titan Stadium in Council Bluffs, with kickoff coming just after 7:00 PM CST on Friday, December 6th.
Second-seeded Georgia Military will host #3 Hutchinson in the weekend's other semifinal match-up. The 10-1 Bulldogs will play the 9-1 Blue Dragons on Sunday, December 8th at 2:30 PM CST
Northwest won the MACCC Championship with wins over #5 Mississippi Gulf Coast and #7 East Central and have won 10 consecutive games
since a narrow one-point loss to start their 2024 season.
Iowa Western clinched its 14th ICCAC Championship and has won nine straight games since falling short in the season's second game.
The two teams have squared off twice in the series, with IWCC winning both times. The Reivers won 36-19 at the 2017 Graphic Edge Bowl in Cedar Falls to conclude the 2017 season and advanced to the 2022 National Championship game with a 33-12 victory at Ranger Stadium in Senatobia, Mississippi, on December 4th, 2022.
The Rangers average just over 356 yards per game on offense and 31.09 points per game while surrendering under 300 yards per contest defensively and just under 18 points to their opponents per game. They're led by running back D'marium Perteet who has rushed for nearly 1,300 yards on the season and has found the endzone 14 times. NWCC is 4-0 against ranked opponents in 2024.
Iowa Western averages nearly 450 yards per contest, with just over 300 of that coming through the air. The Reivers have posted a scoring average of 38.5 points per game and have allowed just over 19 per game. Quarterback Hunter Dekkers has a number of weapons at his disposal. The Sophomore from Hawarden, Iowa, has completed over 65% of his passes for 27 touchdowns and 3,239 yards.
Tickets can be purchased in advance through the NJCAA ticketing link for $15; tickets purchased on the day of the game at Titan Stadium will be $18. Per NJCAA rules, Booster passes can not be honored for the game. Iowa Western students and staff can receive free admission by presenting their Iowa Western ID.
Barley's Bar & Grill will host a postseason edition of their FREE tailgate party in the west lot of Lewis Central High School before the game outside the main entrance to the home stands.
Fans unable to attend the game can listen to the Reiver Sports Network with Jake Ryan, Russ Nelsen, Josh Odson, and Tony Boone on the call on Iowa Western's 100,000-watt FM radio station, 89.7 The River. Those outside the area can log on to 897TheRiver.com (both options are FREE and do not require payment information to be entered).
ESPN will also air the game for those with a subscription to ESPN+.
Any links outside of ESPN+ asking you for payment information are SPAM, do not click those links.
Reiver Athletics Continue Success This Fall
Iowa Western Athletics continues to dominate the landscape of two-year college sports, cementing its place as one of the premier athletic departments in the nation. This fall, Iowa Western’s success across multiple sports has been nothing short of extraordinary, highlighted by the football program’s remarkable push toward a third consecutive national title and an impressive roster of achievements in other sports.
Cross Country and Half Marathon Triumphs
In cross country, the Men’s team achieved national runner-up status, showcasing their depth and talent. But the program’s crowning achievement came in the Half Marathon, where the Reivers claimed their first-ever national title. Led by Barnabas Ndiwa, who set an NJCAA record with an astonishing time of 1:03:37.1 in the 13.1-mile race, Iowa Western solidified its standing as a new powerhouse in distance running.
Women’s Soccer: Near Miss but Still Dominant
The Women’s Soccer team, fresh off back-to-back National Championships in 2022 and 2023, continued their reign of dominance this fall. The Reivers made a valiant run to the NJCAA National Semifinals, where they were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion via penalty kicks by Daytona State College after conceding a goal with just 19 seconds remaining in regulation. Despite the loss, their remarkable 16-0-4 record and defensive prowess, including 12 shutouts, demonstrate the program’s continued excellence. The team finished the season with an impressive record and remains a dominant force in women’s soccer.
Men’s Soccer: National Champions Again
The Men’s Soccer team reached the pinnacle of success by securing the program’s third National Championship, following titles in 2013 and 2021. Entering the NJCAA National Tournament as the top seed, the Reivers finished the season unbeaten with an outstanding 22-0-3 record. The team’s excellence was exemplified by goalkeeper Francesco Tricarico, named the National Tournament's Most Valuable Player, and Seydou Diop, who earned Tournament Offensive Most Valuable Player honors. The men’s soccer team’s dominance, alongside the women’s success, has contributed to a combined 132 wins, 14 losses, 14 ties, and 4 national titles since 2021.
Daktronics Cup and Athletic Department Excellence
Iowa Western’s overall athletic success this year is nothing new. In the 2023-2024 academic year, Iowa Western won the prestigious Daktronics Cup for the third consecutive year and the fourth time overall. This honor, awarded annually to the junior and community colleges with the most success in collegiate athletics, further solidifies Iowa Western’s position as a leader in two-year college athletics.
With unparalleled success across multiple sports, Iowa Western continues to build on its reputation as a national powerhouse. It demonstrates athletic excellence, teamwork, and a commitment to success at the highest levels of competition. Keep up with the latest in Reiver Athletics by following @GoReivers on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Find schedules and regular updates at GoReivers.com.
