Coe football 5th-year seniors rewarded with spot in NCAA Division III playoffs

CEDAR RAPIDS — Some postponed graduate school. Others delayed professional careers and the real world.

They sacrificed time and money for an extra season to play Coe College football.

Seven Kohawks returned for a fifth season, afforded to them by the 2020 COVID-disrupted year, and the decision was rewarded by Coe’s first trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Kohawks (9-1) earned one of four at-large bids to the 32-team field and face No. 12 Aurora (Ill.) University on the road Saturday at noon in the first round.

“This season has by far been the best one yet,” Coe fifth-year defensive back Jack Shaw said. “Our goal coming into the year was to win conference and make it to the playoffs. We were seven points away from making them both happen, but excited that the committee saw what the team knew was in us and gave us the opportunity to make it back to the playoffs.”

Shaw joined Ben Ridenour, Dominic Shepardson, Bridger Aucutt, Amel Saric, Cooper Zeck and Austin Hatfield as fifth-year seniors who opted to come back. They have contributed each of the last three seasons and provided experience that helped Coe to a runner-up American Rivers Conference finish behind No. 3-ranked Wartburg.

“I’m hopeful that they look at the investment that they made to come back a fifth year and see this as a great way to finish their football career,” Kohawks Coach Tyler Staker said. “I hope it has been rewarding for them.

“I think it says a lot about their love for the game of football and the Kohawk program. It is a family decision. It is an investment. We’re not paying for their education.”

The Kohawks have reaped the rewards this season, posting the most victories since going 11-1 in 2016. That team reached the second round of the playoffs.

“I’m really proud of those guys and happy that they did come back,” Staker said. “They’ve been great leaders for us. They have been a big part of our success.”

Ridenour was undecided heading into last spring. He explored graduate school for physical therapy. When he was waitlisted and completed spring camp and some school interviews, he said he felt he owed his classmates to make one more run.

“I know some were more sure than others on coming back,” Ridenour said. “For instance, I know Jack, Bridge, Amel, Coop and Hatfield were all certain they were coming back. After a few of us did spring ball it felt like we were bought in, for the most part as a group, on coming back.”

For Shaw, he had the chance to play with his younger brothers, Sam, a senior, and Will, who is a freshman. Shaw also noted the desire for a better finish and this season was more acceptable.

“Having the opportunity to play with my brothers is something I’ll never forget and beyond grateful to experience,” Jack Shaw said. “Also, as a team, with the way the season ended last year it left a bad taste in our mouths, especially the seniors, and we knew we had more to prove.”

Everyone knew the scenario after Coe finished the regular season with a 54-14 win over Loras. Staker reminded the team they were a “bubble” team. The seniors elected to have a watch party during the D-III selection show. The announcement elicited a loud cheer.

“Obviously, getting an at-large bid is something special, especially with where we were at in some of the polls and columns leading into last Saturday,” Ridenour said. “Jack, Bridge and I all went out for the last drive last week thinking it was our last ever, so being in the playoffs we’re just grateful for another opportunity to compete. Certainly, happy we all came back.”

Shaw knew how difficult it is to grab an at-large bid with more than 200 teams trying to make the 32-team postseason. He said it was crazy to hear Coe revealed during the selection show.

“When we got called, I was simply left speechless,” Shaw said. “I didn’t know how to react. I didn’t think it was real (and) being able to experience that with all my teammates was something I’ll never forget.”

The Kohawks will take on the unbeaten Spartans that rank second in the nation in scoring, seventh in rushing and sit among the defensive leaders, allowing just 10.4 points per game. Staker said Aurora presents a big challenge, but his team is prepared.

“We got a great gift to go on and play more football,” Staker said. “Let’s take advantage of it and have fun. Get a job done on Saturday.”

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