Coe dominates Loras for Senior Day victory

CEDAR RAPIDS – Coe Coach Tyler Staker shared a specific pre-game request with his players.

With the likelihood of this being the home finale, he urged the Kohawks to make this a memorable game for the 15 seniors on the roster.

“I really challenged the guys before the game, ‘Hey let's make sure we send these guys out on a good note at Clark Field,’” Staker said. “I’m really happy for our seniors and happy with the way our guys played today.”

Coe dominated every aspect of the game, amassing 673 offensive yards including a record-setting performance for quarterback Brady Kelly, holding Loras to negative rushing yards and forcing three turnovers and closing the seniors’ home careers with a 63-7 American Rivers Conference football game Saturday afternoon in unfavorable conditions.

“We knew it was going to be a rainy, cold day,” Staker said. “We were we were prepared for this. I thought our guys handled the elements really well. I was proud of our effort, proud of our performance, especially for the seniors.”

Some seniors, like defensive back Kyle Cole and defensive lineman Stone Cummins, returned this season after missing last year to injury. Others have been steady starters like receiver Devon Kollasch, tight end James Hutton, offensive linemen Luke Schumacher and Jase Barksdale and defensive lineman Brant Tedrow.

Cummins had three sacks to lead the Kohawks. Senior running back Isaiah Lee rushed for 94, including an 81-yard TD.

“Just have a tremendous amount of respect for them,” Staker said. “The way they've approached day in and day out over their career has been really cool to see.”

“They're great leaders,” Staker said. “They’re hard workers, care a ton about the program, care a ton about the team and it’s just fun to see us send them out on the right.”

The game was all-Coe from the start, picking off Loras’ opening pass and scoring on the ensuing possession. The Kohawks covered 62 yards on seven plays, concluding with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Brady Kelly to Quincy Drummer with 11:37 to go in the first quarter.

Kelly passed for 318 yards and four TDs, hitting Jeron Senters for a 30-yard score, Drummer on a 55-yard catch-and-run for another score and a diving Latrell Taylor on a 25-yard TD. Taylor’s catch put Coe up 50-0 in the third and served as Kelly’s record-breaking pass.

Kelly threw his 28th touchdown pass of the season, breaking Gavin Glenn’s mark of 27 set in 2016.

“It means a lot,” said Kelly, who completed 13 of 18 passes and has been named A-R-C Offensive Player of the Week four times. “Worked hard for this moment but most importantly, I think, it's kind of a record for the whole offense, not just me.

“It shows for our receivers, running back catching passes and especially the offensive line, too. I’ll get the credit, but really everyone should get the credit for it.”

The Kohawks averaged 11.4 yards per play, rushing for 353 yards. Drummer also rushed for a 12-yard TD and Andrew White added long TD jaunts of 80 and 74 yards. White finished with 199 yards on eight carries.

“In the end, we came out firing,” Kelly said. “We still got the win.”

Coe improved to 7-2 overall and 6-1 in the A-R-C. They close the regular season at Central on Nov. 15. The winner will likely finish second in the conference behind Wartburg. A victory could be the difference between qualifying for the postseason.

“I would say yes,” Staker said about having to win at Central to reach the playoffs. “We'd have to win to get in and I don't know if that's even a guarantee. We have to take care of business next week and have a really good week of practice.

“I think that's one of the things we've really challenged our guys on and they've shown we haven't reached our ceiling, yet. We're wanting to play our best football later in the year and they keep coming out to practice, ready to do work and ready to get better. So, we’ve got to do that this week.”

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