In a game that looked to be controlled by the defenses on paper coming in, the Kohawk defense proved they were one of the best in the league, as they held the Spartans to just seven points in the first 58:38 of the game. The Spartan offense finished with 317 yards in the game, but it was the seven forced turnovers, including six interceptions, that won the game for the Kohawks. Sophomore Seth Johnson (Glidden, Iowa/Glidden-Ralston) had three picks for the Kohawks.
After winning the toss, the Kohawks defered to the second half, putting their defense on the field to start the game. In just three plays, the Kohawk offense was taking over. Coe strung together one of it's longest drives of the year, in a 16-play, 74 yard drive that saw the Kohawks go up 6-0 with 5:36 to play in the quarter. Freshman Brad Boyle (New Sharon, Iowa/North Mahaska) found sophomore Tyler Takes (Ely, Iowa/Solon) for a seven-yard touchdown pass. Sophomore Elliot Rausa's (Waterloo, Iowa/Columbus) point-after attempt made it 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, sophomore Nick Ratchford (Waterloo, Iowa/Columbus) forced a fumble that was recovered by Takes at the Dubuque 34-yard line. After throwing to the end zone on the first play, the Kohawks settled for a 37-yard field goal from Rausa with 1:43 to play in the opening frame. Coe held onto the ball for 11:49 in the first quarter, while holding the Spartans to just 19 yards.
The Spartans marched down the field on their opening drive of the second quarter, as Derek DeVries rushed 15 yards for Dubuque's first score of the game.
Coe quickly answered back, as they added a touchdown of its own in just 2:22. Boyle found sophomore Ryan Jones (Harpers Ferry, Iowa/Waukon) for a 12-yard touchdown strike. Rausa's point-after put the Kohawks up 17-7 with 11:02 to play in the first quarter.
As the Spartans were driving late in the first half, junior Tate Harrison (Nevada, Iowa/Nevada) intercepted a Spartan pass. Harrison returned the ball four-yards to the Coe 38, where he latteralled the ball to senior Kyle Brockmeyer (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy). Brockmeyer was tackled at the Spartan 35 yard line.
Coe pushed the ball to the 20 yard line, but the offense stalled, bringing in Rausa for a 38-yard field goal. The kick gave him 10 made field goals on the season, tying his own school record from last season.
On the Spartans final drive of the half, Johnson intercepted his first pass of the game at the Coe 11, where he returned it to the 44 yard line as time expired. The Kohawks led 20-7 at the break.
After punting on their opening drive of the second half, Sophomore Elias Randel (Grundy Center, Iowa/Grundy Center) intercepted a pass at the Dubuque 30 and returned it all the way to the 10 yard line. Three plays later Boyle found sophomore Michael Rozum (Byron, Ill./Byron) in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown pass, his third of the game.
The Spartans started their next drive at the 50-yard line, but senior Tommy Breitbach (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) kept the Spartans out of the end zone, as he intercepted a pass at the one-yard line. He returned it to the 21-yard line, but a block in the back penalty moved the ball back to the Coe seven yard line.
The Kohawks set up their final touchdown of the day on another interception by Johnson. He picked it off at the Coe 45 yard line and returned it 12 yards to the Spartan 43. Eight plays later, senior Michael Szela (Downers Grove, Ill./Benet Academy) scored his second career touchdown from one-yard out to put the Kohawks up 32-7 with 4:33 to play.
Just three plays after the Szela score, Johnson picked off his third pass of the day, this one coming at the Coe 41. He returned it 19 yards. The Spartans put their final points on the board with 1:22 remaining in the game.
Boyle finished the game 18 of 29 for 172 yards and three touchdowns. He hooked up with eight different receivers on the day. Takes and junior Chris Voss (Ames, Iowa/Ames) led the way with a game-high four receptions apiece. Takes finished with 38 yards, while Voss had 30. Junior Sam Hammes (Story City, Iowa/Roland-Story) added three receptions for 37 yards.
Five different Kohawks carried the ball on the ground, led by Hammes' 32 carries for 75 yards. Boyle finished with 10 carries for 25 yards. Seniors Brendan Grieser (Wayland, Iowa/WACO) and Szela combined for 11 carries for 24 yards.
The junior linebacking core of Harrison, Calvin Thomas (Westchester, Ill./St. Joseph's) and Ross Yeast (West Liberty, Iowa/West Liberty) led the way for the Kohawk defense. Harrison had 12 tackles, while Thomas and Yeast added eight and six respectively. Harrison and Thomas led the team with 120 tackles apiece on the season. Senior defensive ends Aaron Hadenfeldt (Solon, Iowa/Solon) and Jordan Wilkens (Altoona, Iowa/SE Polk) finished with five and four tackles apiece.
