The 2017 NCFA Playoffs featured two similar situations.  Both games featured a relatively new program taking on a traditional NCFA powerhouse.  In Salem, VA Ft. Lauderdale had no problem defeating the 2 time National Champion (Coppin State) by a score of 36-18).  In Erie, PA it was Sacred Heart who put an end to Oakland’s quest for a 3rd National Title be defeating the Grizzlies by a score of 28-6).

View the 2017 NCFA Post Season Bracket HERE.

The 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game was then set for a battle of the undefeated as #1 Univ of Ft Lauderdale squared off against #2 Sacred Heart for the title. the Pioneers would get on the board first when Brian Moore would sack Nathaniel Watson for a safety giving SHU the lead 2-0 halfway through the 1st.  SHU would extend the lead to 9-0 when Chris Criscuolo connected with Mark Barranger for a 43 yd touchdown pass as time wound down in the 1st.  That lead would last till there was 6 minutes left in the half when Watson would get the Eagles on the board with a 1 yd TD run.  The extra point was no good but the Eagles would score again quickly as Criscuolo would fumble on the first play of the ensuing SHU possession and Kitlo Meme would scoop it up and take it to the house.  A missed 2 pt conversion would get the score to 12-9 in favor of UFTL.  But they weren’t done yet.  As time expired in the half, UFTL’s Watson connected with Ellex Davis for a 39 yd TD pass to take an 18-9 lead tot he locker room.  Cameron Neal would hit a 29 yd field goal late in the 3rd to cut the lead to 18-12 and breath some life into SHU.  The score would stick till late in the 4th when James Jordan would take the handoff and rumble 6 yds for the score to tie the game and Neal would give SHU the lead 19-18 with a successful extra point.  The Pioneer defense would pick up their 2nd safety of the game when a bad snap escapes UFTL’s Watson and rolls out the back of the endzone leading to the final score of 21-18 in favor of the Pioneers.

View the 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Stats HERE.

Listen to the 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Broadcast HERE.

View the 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Photos HERE.

Download the 2017 NCFA National Championship Bowl Game Program HERE.

Jordan James took home the MVP award at the NCFA National Title game by rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown on the way to leading Sacred Heart to the NCFA Championship.