Coe football team sweeps major awards in Iowa Conference

CEDAR RAPIDS — There was a reason the Coe College football team finished the regular season with a 10-0 record, the Iowa Conference championship and a NCAA Division III playoff berth.

The Kohawks had the league's Offensive Most Valuable Player, Defensive Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year, it has been announced.

Running back Trevor Heitland is the IIAC's Offensive MVP. The Cedar Rapids Kennedy grad had 1,619 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns this season, his first as a running back.

Previously a wide receiver, Heitland led the nation in all-purpose yardage, averaging 217.6 yards per game.

Cornerback Dylan Stepleton is the league Defensive MVP. The senior from Tipton (and Wilton High School) had an IIAC-best eight interceptions this season, including two returns for TDs.

His interception total was second nationally.

Tyler Staker is the Iowa Conference Coach of the Year. He took over the Kohawks program this season from his father, Steve, though Steve Staker remains an assistant coach.

Tyler Staker played at Coe and was an assistant coach prior to his promotion.

Coe also had first-team all-IIAC selections in junior offensive lineman Dalton Kuehl (a Cedar Rapids Jefferson grad), junior defensive linemen Robbie Peters (Mount Vernon) and Drew Heitland (Cedar Rapids Kennedy). The Kohawks also had four second-teamers in senior defensive back Austin Troendle (Waukon), senior linebacker Ryan Leonard (Midland), junior offensive lineman Zak Ranshaw (Iowa City West) and senior quarterback Gavin Glenn.