While the 2022 NFL draft class have not yet taken the field, teams and fans alike are already keeping an eye on the best college and high school football players ahead of the 2023 draft, scheduled to take place on the weekend of April 27th – 29th in Kansas City.
Over 10 million viewers watch the first night of the NFL draft every year. While those figures pale in comparison to the Super Bowl, you can bet industry insiders are all glued to their screens. Pundits endlessly pore over pick possibilities in the lead-up and will start speculating on how new arrivals will contribute to their franchise the second a draftee puts on his new team’s cap for the cameras. Continue reading
NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Yesterday the MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS clashed with the GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY VIKINGS (should be the Zebras) for the NAIA title. In the 1st Half the teams went blow for blow and score for score, resulting in a 21-21 deadlock at Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended in a 28-28 tie but in the 4th the Mustangs pulled away for a 38-28 victory and their 3rd title in 4 years. 
NCAA DIVISION TWO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This title tilt pitted the FERRIS STATE BULLDOGS against the storied VALDOSTA STATE BLAZERS. It looked like a shootout was in store as the 1st Quarter ended in a 20-17 edge for the Bulldogs. In reality, however, Ferris State shut out the Blazers the rest of the way, leading 41-17 at the Half on their way to a resounding FIFTY-EIGHT to SEVENTEEN blowout win. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The VALDOSTA STATE BLAZERS took on the COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES OREDIGGERS in this game. A 10-3 1st Quarter lead for the Blazers turned into a 24-14 advantage by Halftime. Valdosta State made it a 34-14 game to end the 3rd Quarter, then withstood an Orediggers rally in the 4th for a 34-31 victory. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY VIKINGS were on the road against the defending National Champions of NAIA football – the LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS. A 14-7 Vikings lead in the 1st Quarter became a 21-20 Blue Raiders edge by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Lindsey Wilson College on top 28-26 but the 4th saw Grand View U win the game 34-28. 
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES OREDIGGERS took on the visiting ANGELO STATE RAMS. This was a tale of two Halves, with the Orediggers holding a comfortable 20-3 advantage at the midpoint only to have to hold on tight in the 2nd Half against a Rams rally. Colorado School of Mines won a 34-28 thriller. 
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS took the field against the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS. The Red Raiders led 6-3 in the 1st Quarter and 19-10 come Halftime. In the 3rd Quarter the Knights pulled to within 19-17 before Northwestern College won out in the 4th 25-20. 
The COLLEGE OF DUPAGE CHAPARRALS and the NASSAU COLLEGE LIONS are the two teams competing in the 2021 National Championship Game in NJCAA Division Three football. This is the first year that NJCAA football has been separated into different divisions. 
VICTORY BOWL – The season-ending event in the NCCAA saw the SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS take on the STERLING COLLEGE WARRIORS this year. The Lions grabbed a 10-0 lead in the 1st Quarter and by Halftime held a 17-7 advantage over the Warriors. After the break SAGU outscored Sterling College 14-7 for a 31-14 triumph. 
ROUND ONE: GAME ONE – The KEISER UNIVERSITY SEA HAWKS took it on the road against the REINHARDT UNIVERSITY EAGLES (should be the Rottweilers). After a scoreless opening Quarter Reinhardt U led 6-3 at the Half. The 3rd Quarter ended with the Sea Hawks on top 10-6 and the game ended in a 16-13 win for Keiser University. 
ROUND ONE: GAME TWO – In this game the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS welcomed the SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE MOUNDBUILDERS. The Knights led 6-3 in the 1st Quarter but the Moundbuilders were out in front 17-6 by the midpoint. Marian U made it a 17-14 game in the 3rd Quarter before coming from behind in the 4th to win it 21-17. 
The UMASS AT DARTMOUTH CORSAIRS will take on the ALFRED STATE PIONEERS in the first of two games called the New England Bowl. The Corsairs are in their first Bowl Game since 2004, while the Pioneers are playing in their first Bowl Game ever. 
In the second game of the New England Bowl Series, the UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY MARINERS will face the WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY GOLDEN BEARS. The Mariners last played in the New England Bowl in 2018 while the Golden Bears are making their debut appearance. 
The (1) LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS will host the (16) UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA-WESTERN BULLDOGS. The Blue Raiders are the defending National Champions as well as the champions of the Mid-South Conference’s Bluegrass Division. The Bulldogs are the champions of the Frontier Conference. 
FOUR OVER TWO – In NCAA Division Two the 4th ranked defending national champions, the UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA ARGONAUTS, welcomed the number 2 team in the nation – the VALDOSTA STATE BLAZERS. By Halftime the Argonauts held a 24-21 edge over the Blazers. The 3rd Quarter ended with the University of West Florida on top 45-35 before putting it away in the 4th, 61-42. 
DOWN GOES NUMBER FIVE – Over in the NAIA the number 13 SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE MOUNDBUILDERS took it on the road to battle the 5th ranked KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY COYOTES. The Coyotes led 7-0 in the opening Quarter but the Moundbuilders were up 13-7 at the break. Southwestern College had a 28-21 advantage in the 3rd Quarter and ultimately won the game 42-24.
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