WAVERLY, Iowa - For the first time in seven years, the Kohawk football team was able to come away with a victory against Wartburg. Saturday's 35-21 win was the first since a Fred Jackson led Kohawks took a 21-13 win from the Knights, which also happened to be a Homecoming celebration like Saturday.
The Kohawk defense set the tone early in the game, forcing the Knights to punt on their first possession after gaining just ten yards on five plays. Starting at their own 44-yard line, the Kohawks marched 56-yards down the field on just eight plays, as sophomore quarterback Brad Boyle (New Sharon, Iowa/North Mahaska) connected with junior Tyler Takes (Ely, Iowa/Solon) for a 29-yard touchdown pass. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Kohawks with a 6-0 lead with 8:59 to play in the opening quarter.
It didn't take long for the Knights to answer the Kohawks score. On the second play of the drive, Nick Yordi completed a 76-yard pass to Jason Roskam for a touchdown. The extra point made it 7-6 in favor of Wartburg. The Knights would tack on one more score in the fourth quarter, as Yordi hooked up with Matt Wickert for a 36-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 remaining in the first quarter.
Coe put together a nice drive to open the second quarter, but a sack by Dain Dockter on Boyle caused a fumble, with the Knights recovering at the Kohawk six-yard line. Wartburg wasn't able to capitalize on the Kohawk turnover, but Coe did answer the Knights for the final time in the quarter. For the second time in the game, Boyle found Takes for a touchdown. The nine-yard strike capped a 80-yard drive that finished with 7:47 to play in the opening half. Boyle contributed the most to the drive with a 59-yard run on third down and two early in the drive.
The Kohawks opened the scoring in the second half with a one-yard touchdown run by Boyle. The run finished a 63-yard drive that saw Boyle contribute on seven of the 13 plays. The run and point after attempt by Elliot Rausa (Waterloo, Iowa/Columbus) put the Kohawks ahead 20-14.
After exchanging punts, the Knights would put their final scoring drive of the game together. Yordi led a 12-play, 88-yard drive that finished with a 15-yard pass to Levi Helbling, putting the Knights ahead 21-20.
As the fourth quarter started, the game swung in the Kohawks favor. Boyle completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to senior Sam Hammes (Story City, Iowa/Roland Story) that put the Kohawks ahead 26-21. A two-point conversion attempt was successful as Boyle found senior All-American linebacker Tate Harrison (Nevada, Iowa/Nevada) for the score. It was the first points scored of Harrison's career.
The Kohawk defense owned the fourth quarter, as they forced a Yordi turnover on all four possessions by the Knights late in the game. The first came as senior Kyle Polich (Garwin, Iowa/Green Mountain-Garwin) intercepted a pass at the Kohawk 37-yard line. Coe wasn't able to capitalize on the interception, as they punted after three plays. On the first play after the punt, freshman Frank Weymiller (New Albin, Iowa/Waukon) hit Yordi, forcing a fumble that sophomore Tyler Hemry (West Union, Iowa/North Fayette) recovered at the Wartburg 41-yard line.
Once again, the Kohawks weren't able to capitalize on the turnover. After being stuffed on fourth down, the Kohawks turned the ball over to the Knights. On third down and four, Yordi was picked for the second time of the quarter, this time it was junior Seth Johnson (Glidden, Iowa/Glidden-Ralston) was the interception.
Coe capitalized on this turnover, as Boyle again dove in from one-yard out, putting the Kohawks ahead 35-21 in the game's final score. With the Knights driving one final time, sophomore Austin Lloyd (Center Point, Iowa/Center Point-Urbana) intercepted Yordi at the Coe 42-yard line, putting the finishing touches on the victory.
Boyle finished the game 25-for-45 for 295 yards and three touchdowns passing. His 25 completions were fifth most in school history and his 45 attempts were the 10th most in school history. Boyle also added 66 yards on the ground on 20 carries, while Hammes finished with 97 yard rushing on 25 carries. Senior Robert Welborn (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) had a game-high seven receptions for 72 yards. Takes finished with four receptions and 55 yards, two of which were for touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, Harrison became the school's all-time tackles leader with seven on the day. His total of 318 career tackles passed Blake Borrett's 316 tackles from 2001-04. Senior Ross Yeast (West Liberty, Iowa/West Liberty) had a team-high 9 tackles, while fellow senior linebacker Calvin Thomas (Westchester, Ill./St. Joseph's) added seven, including two tackles-for-loss.
The Kohawks return to action on Saturday, as they host Simpson. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Clark Field.
