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Wayne Cavadi | krikya18.com | December 17, 2017

Texas A&M-Commerce wins first DII national championship

DII Football Championship: Texas A&;M Commerce defeats West Florida

The Texas A&M-Commerce Lions are 2017 Division II football national champions after defeating West Florida 37-27 from Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

Interactive bracket | 

Both teams entered the title game looking for its first NCAA DII national championship. Texas A&M-Commerce was led by Luis Perez, named the Harlon Hill Award winner as the best player in DII football just one day earlier. He was sensational in leading the Lions to their first championship, completing 23 of 30 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns.

RELATED: Full recap of the 2017 DII Football Championship

West Florida, as they have all season, showed no quit. In just its second year of existence, the Argos fought their way back several times. A strong effort by wide receiver Antoine Griffin (112 yards and one touchdown) had the Argonauts in the game to the very end. The Lions simply proved too much.

Texas A&M-Commerce finishes the season 14-1. Relive all the big moments, stats and highlights below.

and . His work has appeared on Bleacher Report, MLB.com, AJC.com, SB Nation and FoxSports.com and in publications like The Advocate and Lindy's Sports. Follow him on Twitter at .

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