Kilgore defensive back Jaheim Patterson forces a fumble on Iowa Western Quarterback Hunter Watson (4) in the first quarter from Titan Stadium in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  

From Staff Reports

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The No. 2 ranked Iowa Western Reivers punched their ticket to a second straight NJCAA championship game with a 47-7 win over the No. 3 ranked Kilgore College Rangers on Sunday at Titan Stadium.

Iowa Western, the defending national champion, moves to 11-1 overall and will take on No. 4 East Mississippi on Dec. 13 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Kilgore, the Southwest Junior College Football Conference champion for the second year in a row, ends the year with a 9-2 mark.

Hunter Watson completed 13 of 20 passes for 176 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for Iowa Western. Jonathan Humpal carried 18 times for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Tyler Webb passed for 90 yards and an interception in the loss for Kilgore. Mason Welch was 5 of 11 for 72 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Tanner Harrison led the Rangers with 20 yards on four carries. Zeek Freeman caught four passes for 87 yards, and Aldyn Bradley had two catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.

The Rangers turn the ball over six times — four fumbles and two interceptions.

Defensively, Vincent Paige and Julian Payne had 11 tackles apiece for the Rangers. Wilburn Smallwood and Chris Robinson recorded sacks, and Jaheim Patterson had an interception and a forced fumble.

Iowa Western scored at the 11:52 mark of the opening quarter on a 37-yard touchdown strike from Watson to Latrell Bonner, and the Reivers poured it on from there.

After taking over at its own 5-yard line after a punt by KC’s Chris Baldazo, Humpal raced 95 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead for Iowa Western with 5:41 left in the first.

Three minutes later, Watson hooked up with Jordan Johnson on a 40-yard TD pass, and the Reivers closed out the first quarter with a 15-yard fumble recovery for a TD by Cleve Lubin to take a commanding 28-0 lead after one period.

After a scoreless third, Max Bartachek booted a 29-yard field go to push the lead to 31-0, and on KC’s next possession the Reivers added to the lead with a safety.

Bryant William’s 27-yard touchdown run with 5:55 left in the third put IW on top 40-0, and Watson tossed a 13-yard TD pass to L.J. Fitzpatrick with 4:31 left in the third to end the scoring for the Reivers.

Kilgore avoided the shutout when Welch threw a 41-yard TD pass to Bradley with 5:26 remaining to cap a 9-play, 80-yard drive.