Sargent, Reivers march over Coffeyville

The Daily Nonpareil

COFFEYVILLE, Kan. – The Iowa Western football team rebounded from its first loss of the season with an overwhelming performance.

The Reivers rolled up a school-record 579 rushing yards and a near-record 807 total yards in a 57-14 thrashing of Coffeyville at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

No. 10 Iowa Western (4-1) scored 47 straight points to break open a 7-7 game after one quarter. The individual stars were running backs Mekhi Sargent and Markeis Hallback, along with quarterback Kai Locksley and wide receiver Mike Hill.

Locksley entered in relief of Kurt Walding and rushed 16 times for 128 yards and three scores, on runs of 4, 1 and 8 yards. He also completed 17 of 24 for 157 yards.

"That's what we're capable of doing,'' Iowa Western coach Scott Strohmeier told the Reiver Sports Network after the game. "We thought we could get some creases, and we were able to. When you've got a quarterback that can beat you with his legs, that even adds to it a little bit more.''

Locksley told the RSN after the game that his offensive line deserved plenty of credit.

"I'm going to have to take 

them out to eat or something,'' he said. "Those boys were working hard, and I was really impressed with their endurance. Usually big guys get tired if you keep moving the ball fast, but they had a mission.''

Hallback carried seven times for 158 yards and a touchdown. Hill caught 14 passes for 136 yards.

The Iowa Western defense allowed just 177 yards and didn't allow a point until there was 9:36 left in the game.

"They played phenomenal the whole game,'' Strohmeier said.

Iowa Western's 579 rushing yards eclipsed the previous mark of 514 set in 2012. The Reivers had 815 total yards against Arkansas Baptist in 2012.

After Walding again threw two first-quarter interceptions, the second one being returned six yards for a touchdown, Locksley was brilliant in relief. He led touchdown marches on three of his first four drives, and his second TD run from a yard out put the Reivers up 27-7 at the half.

Sargent opened the second half with his third and fourth TD runs, from 38 and 1 yard, to give the visitors a 41-7 lead with 7:52 left in the third quarter.

"I give credit to our guys up front, and Mekhi ran really well,'' Strohmeier said.

Tavon Cox and Elijah James led a balanced defensive effort with five solo tackles and one assist apiece.

Iowa Western (4-1) 7 20 20 10–57

Coffeyville (1-3) 7 0 0 7–14

IW: Mekhi Sargent 1 run (Eddie Ogamba kick)

C: Vernon Dasher 6 interception return (Triston Bailey kick)

IW: Kai Locksley 4 run (Ogamba kick)

IW: Sargent 26 run (kick failed)

IW: Locksley 1 run (Ogamba kick)

IW: Sargent 38 run (Ogamba kick)

IW: Sargent 1 run (Ogamba kick)

IW: Locksley 8 run (kick failed)

IW: Markeis Hallback 84 run (Ogamba kick)

C: Wynton Ruth 70 run (Bailey kick)

IW: FG Hunter Pinegar 50