CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Coe scored 21-straight second half points, as the Kohawk senior football players went out with a bang Saturday afternoon in a 31-14 victory over Luther in their final game at Clark Field.
The Kohawk defense came out firing to start the game, holding the Norse to negative yards on their first three plays. The offense went right to work, as they drove 58 yards in 3:29. The big play of the drive came on fourth-and-one at the Norse 36, as senior Gage Mohs (Fredericksburg, Iowa/Sumner-Fredericksburg) rushed 29-yards off the right side for a first down. Two plays later, sophomore Josh Rekers (Dike, Iowa/Dike-New Hartford) connected with junior Nicholas Lenstra (Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque) for a five-yard touchdown. A Wes Anderson (Newhall, Iowa/Benton Community) PAT gave Coe a 7-0 lead with 10:30 to play in the opening frame.
Coe's defense came up with another three-and-out, as the Kohawks took over at their own 38 yard line. Three plays later, Rekers threw his fourth interception of the year at the Coe 47 yard line. Three plays later, senior Jordan Atwater (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar) intercepted his first pass of the season at the Coe 27 yard line. The Kohawks then put together their longest drive of the game, going 69 yards on 15 plays for a score. Coe again came up with a big fourth down play, as Rekers found Elijah Phillips (Miami, Fla./Southridge) for a 20-yard gain to the Luther 12 yard line on fourth and seven. Four plays later, Anderson punched through a 21-yard field goal, as Coe went ahead 10-0 with :52 left in the first quarter. Anderson's seventh field goal of the season moved him into a tie for sixth in school history.
Luther cut the lead to one possession in the second quarter. With Coe stuck at its own eight-yard line, seniorChase Cooling (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) had a 21-yard punt into a 20-plus mile per hour wind. The Norse capitalized, scoring on just four plays, as Jeremy Redmond went off the left side from 11-yards out with 5:56 to play in the half. Both teams exchanged punts to end the half, as Coe went into the break with a 10-7 lead.
Both teams exchanged fumbles in the first five minutes of the second half. Luther was able to capitalize on the Kohawk fumble, they went 77 yards in 5:21. On third-and-goal from the one, Dylan Smallwood scored on a quarterback sneak, as the Norse took a 14-10 lead with 5:35 to play in the third quarter. It was the first lead Luther has had over Coe since the first quarter of their 2010 meeting.
Coe didn't let the lead stand for long. After a seven-yard run by Mohs, Rekers found sophomore Dominik Lensing (Calmar, Iowa/South Winneshiek) for a 57-yard touchdown pass. Anderson's PAT gave Coe a 17-14 lead with 4:59 to play in the third quarter.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Rekers found senior Blake Miller (Ottumwa, Iowa/Ottumwa) for a 39-yard gain to the Norse eight yard line. Three plays later, Rekers snuck it in from a yard out, as Coe took a 24-14 lead with 13:35 to play.
On its next possession, Luther faced fourth-and-one at its own 49-yard line. Senior Dylan Youel (Traer, Iowa/North Tama) came up with the stop, as Coe took over. On the next play, Rekers found Lenstra for the second time, connecting for a 49-yard touchdown pass. It would be the final points of the season at Clark Field, as Coe went ahead 31-14 with 10:21 to play.
The win was the 10th-straight over Luther for the Kohawks. Coe's senior class improved to 24-5 in the Iowa Conferenceover the last four years, the most wins by any team in the league during that span. Coe held a 435-239 advantage in total offense. Luther had 210 yards rushing and 29 yards passing, the second time this season the Kohawks have held an opponent under 30 yards passing. Coe 295 yards passing and 140 on the ground. The Kohawks were 3-for-3 on fourth down, while the Norse were 0-for-3.
Mohs led the Kohawk rushing attack with 12 carries for 67 yards. Rekers added a career-high 18 yards on seven carries. Nine different Kohawks had a carry in the victory. Rekers was 19-of-29 passing for 286 yards and a touchdown. SeniorTyler Sylvester (Elkader, Iowa/Central Elkader) was 1-of-1 for nine yards.
Phillips led 11 different receivers with a reception, as he had a game-high five catches for 43 yards. Lensing added 63 yards on two receptions, while Lenstra had a career-high 54 yards on two touchdown receptions. Senior Keaton Juergens(Elkader, Iowa/Central Elkader) had two receptions for 22 yards, as he became the seventh player in school history with 50 or more receptions in a season.
Senior Kris Schult (Tripoli, Iowa/Tripoli) had a team-high nine tackles, including a career-high two for a loss. JuniorMatt Schmitz (Jesup, Iowa/Union), Youel and senior TJ Trau (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) had eight tackles apiece, a career-high for both Schmitz and Trau. Trau added a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry. Senior Antoine Allen-Jackson(Aurora, Ill./Oswego East) had seven tackles, including two for a loss.
Coe (7-2, 4-2 IIAC) will wrap up the season next Saturday at Central. The senior class will be looking for its 33rd career win in their final game as Kohawks. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Pella. A link for live video, audio and stats can be found on the front page of CoeAthletics.com.