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Coe quarterback Brady Kelly closes in on record-setting football season after 42-21 win over Luther
Kelly passed for 270 yards and 4 touchdowns in the first half; moves within 4 TDs of Coe’s single-season record
Oct. 25, 2025 6:40 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS – Brady Kelly made a tough decision during the summer.
He sacrificed a chance to go back to his home in Florida, electing to remain at Coe to work on his craft. The junior quarterback and the Kohawks are reaping the rewards of that offseason effort.
“When I stayed here for the summer, this was the plan,” Kelly said. “I worked my ass off in the summer for this, for the season, to have these numbers (and) to lead this team. So, yeah, this is what I envisioned.
“It's definitely rewarding. I wouldn't change a thing.”
Kelly moved closer to a record-setting season with a 270-yard, four-touchdown performance in just a half of Coe’s 42-21 victory over Luther in an American Rivers Conference football game Saturday at Clark Field. Kelly improved his season totals to 2,023 yards and 23 TDs, which are in reach of program records.
“You have your goals, but at the end of the day, I just want to win,” Kelly said. “I think when we win, that's when I set those records, so that's all.”
Kelly is four passing TDs shy of Gavin Glenn’s record set in 2016. He is 949 yards shy of Brad Boyle’s record of 2,972 in 2010. His 72.16 completion percentage (127 of 176) and 209.56 QB rating would be program bests, if he maintains them through the final three regular-season games and any possible playoff contests.
Coe Coach Tyler Staker said Kelly displayed his ability last season in limited action, including a playoff performance, but he didn’t expect this type of production.
“We got to see that at points last year, so that helped to build some confidence,” Staker said. “Throughout the spring, learning our system, learning our offense, and then through fall camp, I knew he was going to be pretty special.
“Now, he's complemented with some excellent receivers. Our offensive line has done a really good job of protecting, but him and (offensive coordinator) Coach (Jacob) Donohoe’s offense have been fun to watch.”
This game was all Coe from the start and Kelly came out firing. He needed just two passes and 38 seconds – 41-yard completion to Devon Kollasch and a 20-yard score to Tre’Sean Cunningham – for a 7-0 lead with 12:44 to go in the first.
“We had the bye week and we didn't want to start slow because it's easy to fall into that trap,” said Kelly, who completed 15 of 18 passes. “We wanted to come out there and start firing on all cylinders. I think we did a good job of that in the first half.”
Kelly connected with Latrell Taylor on a 3-yard fade in the back left corner of the end zone less than four minutes later. It was the first of two Taylor TD catches. He hauled in a 6-yard TD pass from Kelly in the second quarter, fending off a defender called for pass interference.
Taylor increased his receiving TD totals to nine this season, moving within three of the program record shared by teammate Jeron Senters, Jared Kuehner (2012) and Tom Marshal (1980).
“We have great chemistry,” Kelly said. “It's pretty easy when I can throw it up anywhere and I know he's going to come down with it.
“It could be any one of our receivers. We have a great receiver corps. Me and Latrell just happen to find the end zone a lot.”
Kelly also hit Jackson Baethke for a 2-yard score. Cayden Schultz led the Kohawks with three catches for 75 yards and Will Hiserote added 65 yards on three receptions.
Cunningham finished with 82 yards and three TDs, including 62 yards and two scores on the ground. His 22-yard TD run gave Coe a 42-0 halftime lead.
Luther (0-8, 0-5) lost its 22nd straight A-R-C game, dating back to 2022. The Norse battled in the second half against Kohawk reserves. They forced a couple turnovers and recovered two onside kicks.
Trent White had rushing touchdowns of 2 and 16 yards in the fourth for Luther. The Norse closed the scoring with a 44-yard TD pass from Noah Millhouse to Anthony Thornton with 5:07 remaining.
Coe improved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the conference, winning their third straight game.
“I don't want to take anything away from what we did in the first half and completely dominating that game on both sides of the ball,” Staker said. “I was really happy with how we came out to start this football game and then how we played throughout the first half.”
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