College of DuPage Chaparrals win 2017 Red Grange Bowl
The College of DuPage Chaparrals successfully defended their title, besting Minnesota's Mesabi Range Community College Norsemen 35-0 in the 2017 National Junior College Athletic Association Red Grange Bowl.
COD dominated the Dec. 2 game, netting 301 passing yard and another 210 rushing. The home team came on strong in the first quarter, scoring two touchdowns, including one by Chaparral quarterback Asher O'Hara.
O'Hara was named Player of the Game by Sports Radio America, which live streamed the event.
DuPage continued its momentum in the second half, gaining yards with several strong plays, including a 10-yard pickup after a spectacular one-arm catch just shy of the goal line by running back Xavier Jackson, positioning the team for its third and O'Hara for his second touchdown. Xavier would later earn the Chaparrals their final touchdown with 12:24 left in the third.
The Dec. 2 bowl game was the culminating event of a weekend-long celebration of the legacy of Harold Edward "Red" Grange.
Grange spent most of his childhood in Wheaton and attended Wheaton High School, where he played football, baseball, basketball and ran track. He earned 16 varsity letters during his tenure and as a high school junior scored 36 touchdowns and led the school to an undefeated season. The two-time NFL champion football halfback played for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears and, for a short-time, the New York Yankees.
Continuing its commitment to community outreach, Chaparral Football is once again donating game proceeds to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. The team expects to top last year's donation of $6,000.
To see photos from the game, check out the College of DuPage Newsroom www.flickr.com page.
College of DuPage is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, National Junior College Athletic Association Region IV and North Central Community College Conference (N4C). The College's Athletics program offers nine men's and eight women's sports teams each year, including outdoor track and field, indoor track and field, cross country, football, volleyball, golf, basketball, tennis, baseball, softball and soccer. All home games are played on the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., and are free and open to the public.