Northwest CC accepts bowl invite
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Northwest Mississippi Community College head football coach Benjy Parker has accepted an invitation to play in The 2017 Graphic Edge Bowl, marking the school's 12th all-time bowl appearance and fourth in the last six years. The Rangers will face No. 3 Iowa Western in the Feature Game at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3.
Starkville native Travis Macon serves Northwest Mississippi Community College as the defensive line coach.
The Graphic Edge Bowl announced its matchups on Tuesday in conjunction with the NJCAA. The annual event, which is entering its 40th anniversary, began in 1978 when Coffeyville (Kan.) defeated Iowa Central 35-13.
This year's event will showcase two games at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the Opening Game and the Feature Game.
The Opening Game of this year's Graphic Edge Bowl will feature Ellsworth Community College (Iowa) against Northland Community and Technical College (Minn.), kicking off at 11 a.m.
The Feature Game includes two top-tier teams from 2017 in Northwest and Iowa Western. Both teams were in national title contention until the final week and will face off at 3 p.m. following the Opening Game.
No. 3 Iowa Western enters the game after finishing with a record of 10-1 and on a seven-game win streak.
Despite a great resume and holding the majority, five of nine total first-place votes in the human poll, the Reivers finished at No. 3. A two-point road loss to perennial KJCCC power Butler was the only blemish on what has been a remarkable season by the Reivers. Highlights include two road wins; a 70-21 road win over current No. 7 Independence and 41-14 over current No. 12 and defending national champion Garden City.
This is Iowa Western's third straight appearance in The Graphic Edge Bowl Feature Game. Last year, they fell to Holmes Community College, 28-21.
No. 5 Northwest Mississippi enters the bowl game after a razor thin double-overtime loss to current No. 1 East Mississippi in the MACJC Championship — a high-scoring game that East Mississippi won 67-66 after electing to go for a winner-takes-all two-point conversion.