Finishing Strong

The Stockton Blackhawks knew their final regular season game was important in terms of seeding, but for their opponent, the Dakota Indians, it was a do-or-die game. The Indians sat at 4-4, needing one more win to become postseason eligible and continue their season. It was the Blackhawks who rose to the challenge with a 14-0 win on the road.

After Week Five, the Blackhawks had a 3-2 record and were looking at a difficult last four games, which included three former "big school" NUIC teams.

For years, the teams in the smaller division, like Stockton, had heard how they wouldn't be able to compe...