Late rally falls short, Lakers fall to Shepherd

After trailing 14-3 at halftime, Grand Valley took its only lead at 17-14 in the third quarter when linebacker Marquez Gollman returned a Shepherd fumble for a TD.  But the hosts fought back to take a commanding 34-19 lead in the fourth quarter. 

The Lakers rallied on two late Bart Williams touchdown passes to Terrell Dorsey and Matt Williams, the last coming in the game's final minute. But a try for the game-tying two-point conversion failed, sending unbeaten Shepherd to the national championship game December 19 in Kansas City, Missouri. Grand Valley ends the season at 12-3 after winning three of its four road playoff games in the postseason.