By: Charles Chaney/JUCWeekly Contributor
For the Iowa Western Reivers, they were in this position before as they lost to NMMI in this game a year ago. This year, they're going in with the mindset of have fun and take care of business.
"I told the guys to enjoy it," Iowa Western head coach Scott Strohmeier said. "Because not everyone gets this opportunity but at the same time, we have to be a little more focused on the game and not just the moment."
The Reivers have overcome a lot of injuries this season and none more to the quarterback position than any other. They've played three quarterbacks out of necessity. When they're healthy, the offense can hum up and down the field.
While they've tried to get the injuries sorted out on the offensive side, it was the defense that led them to their second consecutive national championship game.
"Everyone says defense wins championships," Strohmeier said. "Going into single game, they've been really really good. So, with the injuries we've had a quarterback shuffle and haven't had a consistent starter, they've played really good and without a solid defense we're not in this situation."
The defense is exceptional in every category. They're tied with their opponent, Hutchinson, in points per game allowed with 11.5 PPA. They're first nationally in yards allowed per game with 187.4 YPG. (of note: ASA Miami is No. 1 with 163.8 YPG but only played 2 NJCAA teams).
They've done it by playing a loaded schedule, too. The ICCAC has an agreement with the KJCCC to play a regular season schedule against the conference. They also added in Snow College, a perennial power in the NJCAA.
All they have done was only allow two teams to score more than three touchdowns against them this season.
They started the season by shutting out Dodge City and then beating up on Garden City. It wasn't until October before the Reivers had a single digit game, a 17-8 win over Independence on the road.
Up to that point, Iowa Western hadn't allowed a 200 yard game and had beaten opponents 182-28.
Then, came Snow College into Council Bluffs. A top 10 ranked team that had dealt with injuries of their own but were rolling at that point. All Iowa Western did was shut out the Badgers, 26-0. They would then beat up on Butler, who was ranked No. 8 at the time, 33-14. A game they led 21-0 in the first 9 minutes of the first quarter. Butler scored late to make the score respectable.
The following week, they beat 13th-ranked Iowa Central, 35-21, in a game where they allowed more than 201 yards for the first time this season. They held an explosive Tritons offense to 289 yards of offense.
Even in their losses, a 23-7 loss to Coffeyville, they only allowed 158 yards of offense. Hutch managed only 307 yards, with 89 of it coming in the fourth quarter and with 197 of it coming in the first half.
They were able to redeem themselves in the victory over Northwest Mississippi, a 33-12 win over an explosive Ranger offense. The Rangers came into the game averaging over 400 yards of offense. They were limited to only 276. Most of that came on two drives.
They're led by Jackson Filer on defense. He was a finalist for the Walter Jones award, which is given to the best football player in the NJCAA presented by JUCOWeekly. Filer was the only defensive player who made the finalist list.
"It was awesome [for Jackson]," Strohmeier said. "For what he's done defensively, I don't know how he couldn't be in the top three. He's worked his tail off and earned everything he's got."
The third-year sophomore has set all sort of school records. Filer's 15.5 sacks this season is a new school record for the Reivers, beating a record that was previously set in 2013. He's also the career leader in sacks with 26.5, which broke a record that was also set in 2013. He's the career leader in TFLs with 44.5 and is tied in the career lead with five fumble recoveries.
That's why Iowa Western is second nationally in sacks, eighth in interceptions and 19th in fumbles recovered. Filer has five of the seven fumble recoveries.
A key for the Reivers will be special teams.
In both losses, special teams played a part. They had a punt blocked for a touchdown against Hutch and had a field goal blocked for a touchdown against Coffeyville.
"We take great pride in our special teams," he said. "With two really good teams, it'll come down to 1-2 plays. Who is going to make those plays?
"The fortunate thing was we got into the playoffs. That was my goal; is let's get in it. Then, let's see what happens and here we are. We get a chance to walk and avenge a loss that we had this season."
Strohmeier has been the only head coach the Reivers have known. He came by way of North Iowa CC, who no longer has football. He spoke about how the town supported the Reivers when he came for his interview.
They've played in three national championship games, going 1-2. They beat Butler, 27-7 in 2012 to win their only national championship. In 2014, they lost to East Mississippi, 34-17 in the Mississippi Bowl to finish the season 11-1. Last season, they were 10-1 with a loss to NMMI, 31-13 in the national championship game.
"I still remember year 2, we were 9-2 and I was devastated," Strohmeier said. "Everyone said it's your second year but I'm like you don't always get the opportunities to play for national championships.
"But I remember the joy of seeing the kids and their excitement for something with all the hard work they put into it. It's probably the most rewarding thing, I'll never forget."
He's seen the interest grow as the Reivers have built one of the best JUCO football facilities in the nation. They don't shy away from playing anyone and it's paid off for them. They've won 129 games in the history of the program, all under Strohmeier.