ONLINE FIRST: Fort Scott, Blinn to square off in Citizens Bank Bowl

Fort Scott Community College and Blinn College, the first- and second-ranked teams in the National Junior College Athletic Association, accepted bids to the Citizens Bank Bowl this afternoon.

About 60 Greyhound supporters showed up for the announcement. The game, which will determine the NJCAA champion, will be played at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg on the afternoon of Dec. 6.

"I think for the program, this is another compliment to our players," FSCC head coach Jeff Sims said. "The players did it. I've coached for eight years and the players have taken me for this ride."

Brian Comstock, Citizens Bank, NA Chief Financial Officer and himself a former FSCC basketball player, said that "The stars have kind of alingned this year" as the bowl game draws the national championship contest in its first year of existence.

Blinn and Fort Scott met last season at the Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove. The Greyhounds won that contest.

Blinn's head coach, Brad Franchione, will be making a homecoming of sorts. His father is former Pittsburg State University head coach Dennis Franchione.

"No doubt, it's exciting to coach a game back in Pittsburg," Franchione said via telephone. "The fact that it's a national championship game makes it more special."

Tickets are on sale at all Citizens Bank branches, including 200 S. Main and at the Main and 23rd Street branch in Fort Scott.