Coe gets emotional win over Central as scoreboard is dedicated to Steve Staker

CEDAR RAPIDS — After Coe broke its postgame huddles, players and coaches dispersed to greet family, friends and fans.

Kohawks Coach Tyler Staker stood by himself for a moment. He was visibly emotional, standing on the field with his back to the scoreboard that showed Coe’s 37-31 victory over Central Saturday. The digital fixture at the end of Clark Field also displayed the picture of his late father and predecessor, Steve Staker, who died in 2020 after a short battle with cancer.

Not only was it an important game in the American Rivers Conference standings, but it fell on the same day Coe dedicated the scoreboard in Steve’s name with a halftime ceremony of family and supporters on the field.

“Definitely wanted this one,” Staker said. “It looked like we had an awesome crowd and the people who helped support the scoreboard and our lives. I’m thankful.

“A lot of emotion in this day. I’m happy for our guys and our coaches. We battled and found a way to win at the end against a really good football team.”

Steve Staker was Coe’s head coach from 2008 to 2015, following a stint as a Kohawks assistant. His 55 wins is third all-time, leading Coe to multiple playoff appearances. He had mantras of “Expect to win” and “Family” that are still fundamental to the program.

Tyler still has his dad’s license plates that advertised his “Expect to win” approach to life.

“We talk about it on a daily basis,” Staker said. “We break our pregame huddle on Saturday ‘expect to win’ and say ‘Family on three.’ It was pretty cool today.”

Defense has been a pillar to Coe’s success this season and it was crucial in capping the memorable day. It allowed just three points on Central’s final four drives into Coe territory during the last seven minutes.

Central remained in striking distance thanks to a 436-yard, four-touchdown effort by quarterback Cooper Downs. He had the ball in his hands with 1:03 to go at the 46 with a chance for a game-winning drive.

The Dutch advanced to the Coe 18 with seven seconds remaining. The Kohawks broke up a pass at the goal line and coverage forced a pass to sail out of the back of the end zone as time expired.

“It was huge for us to come up with those two stands at the end of the game,” Staker said. “We came away with a victory and that’s all that matters.”

Central’s previous drive reached the Coe 7. Jay Oostendorp dropped Downs for a sack to the 18 and then Jack Shaw snagged his second interception of the day, stepping in front of a pass in the end zone.

“I have to credit (defensive) coach (Cody) Baethke,” said Shaw, who picked off a pass that led to Zamari Bruce’s 12-yard TD reception to put Coe on the board. “He said play over the top of No. 1 (Logan Mont). He was their primary guy. They liked to target him. Shoutout to Jon Bell. He had underneath coverage. He made the quarterback throw it up for me. I just read eyes and let the rest do the work.”

Normally, Shaw wouldn’t have been in that position. He had to move from his free safety spot to replace corner LaDainian Linnear, who left due to injury.

“We moved Jack to corner and he hadn’t taken a ton of corner reps,” Staker said. “He made a huge interception and a big-time play.

“Our defense has come up big over and over this season. I’m really proud of them.”

Ray Seidel, Coe’s battering ram of a running back, had a career day. The 5-foot-7, 195-pound rusher posted single-game bests with 152 yards, including a career long of 21, and three TDs. He powered the run game, toting the ball 36 of Coe’s 39 total carries.

“We worked that flex run all week,” Seidel said. “Our (offensive) line executed, opened up our run game and that’s all we needed.

“I thought we were clicking. From the first drive, I thought we were going to run this play all day because it kept hitting and hitting. It worked out and paid off.”

Seidel displayed his toughness. He was injured in the Kohawks’ homecoming game two weeks ago and didn’t play last week at Loras. He was questionable during the week but was a work horse Saturday.

“He was tender all week long and we weren’t sure if he was going to be able to go or not,” Staker said. “He came up in a big way and played tough. We were able to get some push for him but he’s tough to bring down. He’s a hard runner and had some big plays. He busted some, especially when they were packing the box and got outside.”

Seidel did most of his damage inside the 10, scoring on runs of 6, 4 and 3 yards. The last two sandwiched a Central TD pass in the third quarter, giving Coe a 34-21 lead with 5:13 left in the frame.

“When we get in that zone, I’m like we have to go and I’ve got to score,” Seidel said. “That’s my mentality and it’s always been like that.”

The Kohawks played complementary football in all phases. The run game’s ability to move the ball helped the pass game open up. Carter Maske passed for 305 yards and two TDs, hitting Dominic Shepardson 11 times for 143 yards and a nifty catch and run for a 42-yard score for a 14-7 lead with 6:07 left in the first quarter.

Staker noted contributions came from all over, getting a late first down by inches on a diving sideline catch by Logan Winn, converting a third-and-8 and leading to a 22-yard field goal by freshman Julian Garcia Ayala that made it 37-28.

“They made plays when we needed to make them,” Staker said. “A great team win.”

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