Council Bluffs, Iowa
For a program that has put up some gaudy offensive numbers over the years, the Iowa Western Football team has hung their hat on the year after year consistency of their defense.
The 'Darkside', as the unit came to be known in year two of the program's existence, has often been overshadowed by a team that's seen some of the best offensive performers in the NJCAA, but names like Jared Ebert, Isaiah Johnson, Devin Drew, and Willie O'Hara to name a few, won't soon be forgotten in Reivers' lore. This year, it's been Jacob Ellis, Jackson Filer, Kyre' Williams and a host of others that have made Iowa Western one of the best in Junior College Football.
The undefeated Reivers rank 3rd in scoring defense, 3rd in fumble recoveries, 6th in interceptions, and 6th in rush defense and are at or near the Top 10 in several other defensive categories and Friday night in Little Rock, they'll need to show the discipline and dominance that helped them attain those numbers.
Their opponent, second-ranked New Mexico Military, averages nearly 450 yards per contest, including 291 yards on the ground. Leading the way is Florida State bounce back Anthony Grant. The sophomore running back led NMMI to the title game, carying 26 times for 398 yards and five touchdowns in the Broncos, 49-30, win over Northwest Mississippi.
"He's a dude," Defensive Coordinator Mike Blackbourn said about the 5'10", 211 pound back, "they've got a great offensive line and his ability really allows him to exploit teams. We'll not only have to play disciplined, but we'll have to wrap up on first contact and limit the yards after contact."
Blackbourn, the man behind the defensive unit, has been with Coach Strohmeier every step of the way at Iowa Western. The former linebacker at South Dakota State began his coaching career at his alma mater in 2005 and has served as Strohmeier's Defensive Coordinator since 2007 when the pair were at North Iowa Area Community College together.
"Mike just does a phenomenal job of putting our guys in a position to be successful," said Strohmeier of his longtime DC, "He's always had the guys ready, but his experience with being able to adapt to different looks and adjust the scheme in game is what really gives us the consistentcy we're looking for."
The Reivers offense hasn't posted the eye catching numbers that the Broncos have this season, but the unit is more than capable and doesn't lack explosiveness both through the air and on the ground. IWCC averages 355 yards a game and is able to strike from just about anywhere and from any distance. Running backs Milton Sargbah and Moses Bryant have both busted runs of 65 plus yards, while Nate Glantz has delivered touchdown passes of 40 yards or more to six of the 19 Reivers who've caught passes from him this year.
The play of the defense has certainly allowed Glantz and the offense to take more chances.
"Having a consistent, at times dominating defense does a couple of things for us offensively," said Head Coach Scott Strohmeier, "It allows us to be more aggressive and take more chances, but it also allows you to be more conservative and play the field position battle. You've seen both this year with us taking some chances on 4th downs, but we've also tried to pin some opponents deep and let them (the defense) go to work. It really just depends on the game, but it's a great advantage to have."
Both teams that take the field on Friday thrive on turnovers. Iowa Western currently holds a plus 20 advantage in turnover margin, while Coach Kurt Taufa'asau's Broncos are plus 22.
That number is big for NMMI, as their defense does allow nearly 400 yards per contest, but has earned an 11-1 record by forcing key turnovers and giving their offense more time to grind out points. The Broncos rank 1st in points scored this season with 495 and while their passing game in near the Top 10 in yards per attempt and yards per game, it's the rushing game that is at the top of the standings in all but one key category.
NMMI has 3494 yards and 39 rushing touchdowns on 556 attempts in 12 games. While their 291.2 yards per game ranks first, the 6.3 yards per carry is good ... for only second place, just behind fellow SWJCFC conference member Kilgore.
"Stopping them is going to be tough", said sophomore linebacker Zach Strickland, "but it starts with the front four. Tyree Hill, Zander Gray, Quientrail Travis and Jackson Filer have done a phenomenal job of cleaning up lanes for myself and the other backers to be able to read and flow and make plays. I don't think that will change, we just need to stay true to our keys and not get lost in the 'eye wash' motion that they run, that's a major key to keeping things in our favor."
Strickland mentions the starting four, but Iowa Western, like in years past, is deep on the defensive line. Queden Ballew ranks second on the team with four sacks, while Elijah Elmore, Ethan Weirather, Iziek Soper, Clarence Williams, Jaden Scott and Jacob Ferguson have all contributed big plays to the front four.
As the saying goes 'a rising tide raises all ships' and the success of the line has played directly to the success of the linebacking crew. Jacob Ellis has led the unit and was named the ICCAC conference player of the year on defense. His 71 tackles lead the team, but Diontrel Wommack, Rashion Hodge, and Strickland have combined with Ellis for nearly 200 tackles as a group. The foursome has also intercepted eight passes and have caused or recovered seven fumbles that resulted in the ball changing possession.
The high numbers for the front seven has reduced tackling opportunities for the Reivers' secondary, but they've been ball hawks, breaking up nearly 40 passes as a group and contribuing another eight interceptions on the year. The biggest key is they've managed to be fairly penalty free in their defense while limiting opportunities for opposing quarterbacks to find open receivers.
On paper, the match-up looks to be an instant classic. The two teams have only played once in the Reivers' 13 seasons of football, playing the second of three games at CSU-Pueblo as part of the 2012 'Mile High Shootout'. The Reivers defeated the Broncos en route to winning the 2012 National Championship. The three game event was staged to give teams from the Western States Football Conference a chance for non-conference competition against teams from the Midwest Football Conference. Arizona Western topped Ellsworth in the days opening game, while Snow defeated North Dakota State College of Science in the night game. Neither league exists anymore and Arizona Western shuttered their program three seasons ago.
"That game was when we knew it was going to be a special year, the way those guys all came together and the way that game went really lit the fuse for the rest of that season." Said Strohmeier, "You might be seeing more of those type of events in the future, neutral site, multiple game events just to give teams more options in scheduling. It really was a cool event looking back at it. You play at a four-year college early in the season and it gives guys a little taste of what it could be like getting to or back to that level or higher. Not to mention that the fans really got to witness a full day of good college football."
Friday's 7 o'clock game will be televised on CBS Sports Network with the Reiver Sports Network's coverage on Iowa Western's 100,000 watt radio station 89.7 the River. The FM signal is available in Omaha and Southwest Iowa with a listen live option available on the website. The RSN's crew of Jake Ryan, Russ Nelsen and Josh Odson will have exclusive interviews with Coach Strohmeier and Reiver players during a one hour pre-game show which begins at 6:00 pm.
The team's social media will also be active on Facebook, Twitter and the GoReivers snapchat account with exclusive footage from the field at War Memorial Stadium.
