The victory moves the Bearcats into the national semifinals for the sixth consecutive season and for the eighth time in program history. Northwest (12-1) will take on Minnesota Duluth (13-0) next Saturday at a place and time to be announced.
Bolles led the Bearcats to touchdowns on their first three possessions and held a 21-7 lead with nine minutes to play until halftime. He threw touchdown passes to three different receivers and iced the game with a 4-yard touchdown run for the game’s final score with three minutes remaining.
Bolles completed 20-of-32 passes for 226 yards. His counterpart, Eric Czerniewski, threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns, but was picked off twice in the second half by Northwest linebacker Willie Horn.
Bolles and Czerniewski are two of nine finalists for the Harlon Hill, awarded annually to the Division II Player of the Year. Bolles is the lone finalist remaining in the postseason.
Jordan Simmons led Northwest with 73 yards rushing and with nine receptions for 59 yards. Simmons ran for a 2-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter and has rushed for a score in 10 consecutive games.
Tyler Shaw, Josh Baker and Jake Soy each hauled in touchdowns for Northwest. For Shaw and Soy, it was their only catches of the game. Baker had four catches for 41 yards. He was injured while making a 6-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter and did not return.
Anthony Stewart led Central Missouri in rushing and receiving. He had 38 of the Mules’ 49 yards rushing and caught eight passes for 57 yards. He capped Central Missouri’s first possession of the game with a 7-yard touchdown catch.
Northwest improved to 19-3 at home in the postseason under coach Mel Tjeerdsma and has won seven consecutive NCAA playoff games dating back to last season. Including the postseason, the Bearcats have won 51 consecutive games against MIAA opponents. That streak includes a 17-16 win against Central Missouri four weeks ago during the regular season.
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