St. Cloud, Mn-

Down at halftime 28-27, Northland CTC stormed out of the gate after the break to score 41 second-half points to earn a 68-35 MCAC State Championship and NJCAA Region XIII title over Mesabi Range College.

Quarterback Shannon Patrick led the Pioneers to their first MCAC football championship throwing for nine touchdowns with the NCTC ground game picking up two more.  The Pioneer defense rose to the challenge of the second half, holding Mesabi Range to one touchdown after the intermission. 

Both teams will await possible bowl invitations to be announced early this week.  The Pioneers sit at 9-2 overall, 3-2 in the MCAC Western Division.  Mesabi Range College currently has a 7-4 record, going 4-1 in Eastern Division play in 2017.