Both teams started the game with three-and-outs, combining for just six yards on their opening drives. On Coe's second drive of the game, the offense found a rhythm. After throwing incompletions on his first two passes, senior CJ Feller (Waukegan, Ill./Warren Township) completed three straight passes for 47 yards. The offense then stalled and attempted a 30-yard field goal. Rausa's kick sailed wide right, giving the Storm the ball at their own 20 yard line.
Once again, both defenses held strong, forcing three-and-outs on the next two possessions. On first and goal from the 24 yard line, senior Justin Bakke (Waukon, Iowa/Waukon) intercepted a pass from Travis Dietz in the end zone. The Kohawks weren't able to score off the interception, but held the Storm out of the end zone on the drive.
Both teams exchanged punts once again, with Coe downing junior Cody Lerch's (Wadena, Iowa/Valley) 43-yard punt at the Simpson two yard line. After a 20-yard pass completion on first down, Polich intercepted his first pass of the game and took it 25-yards for a touchdown, putting the Kohawks up 7-0.
On fourth and three from their own 38 yard line, Simpson ran a fake punt, but it was stopped by Matt Danner (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) and Seth Johnson (Glidden, Iowa/Glidden-Ralston). The offense capitalized on this defensive stop, as it took them just five plays to cover the 40 yards for the score. Feller hooked up with junior Sam Hammes (Story City, Iowa/Roland-Story) for a 20-yard touchdown pass, putting the Kohawks up 14-0.
After forcing a punt, Coe took over with 2:53 remaining in the first half from its own 30 yard line. The Kohawks drove 10 plays to the Simpson 39 yard line before Feller's pass was intercepted by John Wolfe. Wolfe took the pass 62-yards for a touchdown, cutting the Coe lead to seven.
Neither team could move the ball on their first possessions of the second half, but it was Simpson who struck first on their second drive. Adam Reutzel carried the ball seven times for 31 yards on the drive, including a nine-yard touchdown run on third down. The score tied the game with 1:42 to play in the third quarter.
After Coe punted to end the third quarter, the Storm opened the fourth quarter with the ball at their own 12 yard line. On third and 14, Travis Dietz was chased out of the pocked by senior Jordan Wilkens (Altoona, Iowa/SE Polk) when he dropped the ball. Wilkens jumped on the ball, giving the Kohawks possession at the Storm 20 yard line. Coe was able to move the ball down to the one yard line, but was stuffed on two-straight plays. Rausa came in to hit a 25-yard field goal, giving the Kohawks a 17-14 lead with 10:22 to play.
Simpson countered on its next possession, as they took the ball 53 yards on seven plays, with the drive ending on a 31-yard field goal by James Gale. The field goal tied the game at 17 with 5:33 to play.
With the ball at their own 20 yard line, the Kohawks drove down the field for the winning drive. The biggest play of the drive came on third and seven from Coe's 41 yard line. Feller found sophomore Herve Cantrell (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) for a 24-yard reception. On the very next play, Hammes busted three tackles en route to a 26 yard run to the Simpson nine yard line. After an illegal block and holding penalties, Coe was forced to attempt a 45-yard field goal. Rausa connected on the attempt, tying his career long set last year against Illinois Wesleyan.
Simpson started the final drive from its own 35-yard line. On the first play, Polich intercepted his second pass of the game, falling out-of-bounds after the catch. The interception sealed the win for the Kohawks, which was their second Iowa Conference road win in as many tries this season.
Hammes finished with a team-high 100 yards rushing for the second straight game. He also had a team-high seven receptions for 61 yards. Sophomore Nick Ratchford (Waterloo, Iowa/Columbus) caught six passes for a game-high 67 yards. Feller finished 21 of 34 for 208 yards.
The Kohawks will return to action next Saturday, as they host Wartburg at 1 p.m.
