College of DuPage Football Wins Championship Game, 34-29

This was the matchup you like to see – the #1 and #2 ranked teams playing for the championship. The Chaparrals, ranked #1 in spite of losing to Nassau (New York) earlier in the season, scored with just 21 seconds left to come from behind and win.

DuPage seemed to own the first half, thanks to a strong defense and timely offense. When the Chaparral’s Darrell Smith scored on a 76 yard run as time running out in the first half, DuPage went into the locker room up 14-0.

Things continued to go the Chaps way in the second half as they stretched their lead to 21-0 on a 5 yard pass from Brooks Blount to Jack Dorsey. But things would soon get much more interesting.

The Lions got back into the game with a 50 yard scoring drive, ending with a 16 yard pass from Michael Batton to John Beaubrun. But, as champions will do, the Chaps didn’t let the momentum get away from them. On the ensuing kickoff, Lazerick Eatman scampered 94 yards for a touchdown, again giving DuPage a 21 point lead.

The Lions responded in a big way, scoring the next three touchdowns as the Chaparrals offense struggled. With just 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Nassau’s Joshua Arevalo kicked a 28 yard field goal, putting the Lions ahead for the first time, 29-28. Even the diehard Chaparral fans seemed to know it was over.

But good field position following the Nassau kickoff gave the Chaparral offense life. A run and a defensive penalty moved the ball into Nassau territory. It was then that Matthew Brown got behind the defense and pulled in a 33 yard pass, putting the Chaps up 34-29 with just 21 seconds to go.

DuPage ends their season 9-2.