Late Field Goal Gives Navarro 13-12 Win over Butler in NJCAA Football Championship Game

Photos by: Kathleen Hinrichs; Director of Public Relations, Fort Scott Community College

BOX SCORE

PITTSBURG, Kan. -- With a strong second -half rushing game, a couple of crushing sacks and a big kick, Navarro (Texas) bested No. 1 Butler (Kan.) 13-12, to win the NJCAA Football Championship on Sunday at the Citizen's Bank Bowl in Pittsburg, Kan.

Juve Sanchez kicked a 28-yard field goal with 1:11 left, and an interception on Butler's next play sealed Navarro's first national title in football since 1989.

The Bulldogs, ranked second coming into the game, finished its season 11-1, and avenged a season-opening loss to Butler (11-1) in Wichita, Kan.

The two teams came into the game averaging more than 76 points between them, but in two games, they totaled 51 in two defensive battles. Butler won the opener, 16-10.

Butler's 12 points came on two touchdowns, but the Grizzlies went for two both times and failed.

Sanchez made a 26-yard field goal late in third to give the Bulldogs a 10-6 lead. DePauldrick Garrett, the offensive MVP, scored from two yards out early in the third to give Navarro a 7-0 lead. He finished with 106 yards on 15 carries.

Defensive end Toby Jackson was the defensive MVP, thanks in large part to two bone-crunching sacks of highly-recruited Butler quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who went 17 for 28 for 166 yards and a touchdown. He completed his first five passes, but was sacked four times.

The two teams stalled to a 0-0 tie at the half only to see both score on their first possesions of the second half.

Navarro coach Nick Bobeck is now 32-3 in three years. His teams were ranked No. 1 to end the regular season in each of his first two seasons, but the Bulldogs lost to Blinn in the SWJCFC championship both times.

The game was broadcast live on NJCAA TV (www.njcaa.org/tv) and PSB Live (www.psblive.com) and can be seen now on both sites via video archive.

Additional coverage of the game can be found at:
Butler falls one point short in NJCAA Championship Game

http://corsicanadailysun.com/sports/x278367773/DOGS-DAY-Navarro-nips-Butler-13-12-to-win-title

http://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/x278367804/Navarro-claims-Juco-title
 
http://www.morningsun.net/featured/x1817613884/Navarro-Texas-claims-13-12-win-over-Butler-in-Citizens-Bank-Bowl

http://www.examiner.com/junior-college-sports-in-wichita/navarro-makes-plays-crunch-time-to-win-national-title-over-butler