Beem reaches milestone in loss to Coe

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Jordan Beem ran for a career-high 227 yards to surpass 3,000 yards for his career, but Trevor Heitland and league-champion Coe pulled away in the second half for a 47-29 win on Senior Day at Buxton Stadium.

Caleb Frye threw two TD passes and Sam Sasso added another late in the game but the Storm (3-7, 2-6 Iowa Conference) couldn't keep pace with the league's top offensive attack, committing four turnovers that resulted in 13 points for Coe.

Heitland secured his conference rushing title with 238 yards and three scores for the Kohawks (10-0, 8-0), who locked up an undefeated regular season. Gavin Glenn threw three TD passes -- two to Demetrius Harper --- and Brandon Roseberry added 82 yards on the ground.

"Hats off to Coe, they're the champs," head coach Matt Jeter said. "The guys fought to the end, but that's never been an issue with this football team. The issues have been executing throughout the game."

In a season marred by injuries, Beem put together the best game of his career in his final act, averaging better than seven yards on 32 carries. The senior joined a fraternity of elite Simpson running backs, becoming just the fifth player in school history to reach the 3,000-yard mark. He closes his career with 3,078 yards.

"He's a champion. I wish I had him for four more years," Jeter said. "He's finally healthy. He's had bumps and bruises all season, but today he had a big day against the best defense in the conference."

Fans of the running game were entertained throughout the day as the last two conference rushing champions went back-and-forth. Simpson and Coe combined for 572 yards rushing. Coe racked up 324 on the ground and Simpson ran for a season-high 248.

Both teams experienced some kicking woes early on as Coe muffed the hold on the extra point attempt following their first touchdown and Drew Jensen hit the right upright on his first point after. Simpson's Ryan Sarver then returned a blocked extra point 73 yards for two points in the second quarter, pulling the Storm within 19-8.

Harper's second TD grab of the day made it 26-8 but tight end Nathan Russell caught a 5-yard TD pass from receiver Jackson Redmond on a reverse pass to pull Simpson within 26-15 at halftime.

Simpson's offense sputtered in the third quarter, allowing Coe to score three straight touchdowns to start the second half and open up a 47-15 lead.  Simpson punted, was intercepted, turned it over on downs and fumbled on its four possessions of the second half before reaching the endzone in the final two drives.

Three of Simpson's four TDs were scored by seniors. In addition to Russell's scoring grab, Devin Norman hauled in a 34-yard strike from Frye in the first quarter and Josh Wilson scored his first career TD on a 2-yard pass from Sasso in the fourth quarter. 

Ryan Sarver and Ryan Lehr led the defensive effort with 10 tackles apiece for the Storm. Trey Chumbley had 1.5 tackles for loss and Isaac Frazier made five tackles and had two hurries, but was held without a sack for just the second time all season.

NOTES
Beem closes his career as Simpson's fifth-leading rusher. He also ranks fourth all-time with 4,178 all-purpose yards … Frazier closes the season as the Iowa Conference leader in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (14), making it two years in a row he has led the league in both categories.