Coyotes gamble, pull off win at Tabor 21-17
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Scott Moore recovers a fumble in the fourth quarter to set up KWU's game winning scoring drive.

HILLSBORO – Tabor came to Salina in the 2003 season to face the two-time defending champions Kansas Wesleyan, and knocked off the Coyotes 30-28. 2006 was redemption time. The Coyotes used a huge goal line stand in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, as well as a huge third down conversion from Justin Schropp to Drew Phillips to knock off the no.21 ranked Tabor Bluejays 21-17 at Reimer Field.

The Coyotes declined a penalty on third down that gave Tabor fourth and goal on the two, but Matt Case tracked him down on the left side and stopped him a yard short to prevent the go ahead score. A 12-yard Darell Grames run gave the Coyotes a little breathing room. But it was Schropp who came up big as he hit Phillips over the middle for 33-yards out to the Tabor 49. Two more Grames runs set up the kneeldown by Schropp to seal the win.

Grames was the workhorse again for the Coyote offense, carrying 29 times for 119 yards, but Grames didn’t see the ball until the five minute mark in the first quarter. The Coyotes opened up the game with a trademark trick play, this time the flea flicker, as Grames tossed the ball back the Schropp who hit Marcus Lowe wide open down the right side for 68 yards. Two plays later, Schropp hit Andy Bean wide open in the left corner of the end zone from five yards out to give the Coyotes a 7-0 lead with the Michael Barry kick with 13:41 left.

Tabor struck with 5:33 left in the half as Derik Martinez hit a 24-yard field goal.

Schropp and the boys weren’t done yet in the first, as he hit Bean again, this time from 19 yards out with 49 ticks left. After the Barry kick, the Coyotes led 14-3.

Tabor was able to pull ahead with two scores in the second quarter. Hector LaBoy scored from 27 yards out, and Martinez’ kick pulled the Bluejays within four at 14-10 with 8:32 left. The Bluejays struck again with 2:38 left before the half as Ishida went right up the middle virtually untouched. Martinez’ kick gave Tabor the 17-14 lead.

Wesleyan’s defense stepped up huge in the fourth. Scott Moore stripped Mario Nava at the Tabor-20 and picked up the ball and went before Ishida caught him at the ten. Two Grames runs set up Schropp’s third touchdown pass of the night, this time a four-yard strike to Phillips. Barry’s kick gave Wesleyan the 21-17 lead with 7:41 left.

Tabor set up their final drive at their own 38, and used two LaBoy rushes to give the Jays first down at the 50. Ishida then scrambled on the next play going out of bounds at the KWU-24. After a Ishida run gave the Bluejays first and goal on the KWU-10, Laboy used two runs to get to the KWU-4. On third down, Ishida dove and was stopped short at the KWU-2. Tabor was called for illegal shift, but the Coyotes declined and set up a fourth down from the there. Ishida rolled out to the left, but Case drug him down at the one, giving the ball back to the Wesleyan.

Grames led the Coyotes (1-0) with 29 carries for 119 yards, while Schropp was 7-for-9 passing for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Marcus Lowe had the one catch for 68 yards, while Bean and Phillips each had two catches for 24 and 37 yards respectively.

Ishida was 10-of-19 for 161 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. Caleb Marsh led the Tabor (0-1) receivers with seven catches for 125 yards. LaBoy led Tabor on the rushing end with 17 carries for 95 yards and a score, while Ishida had 11 carries for 45 yards and a score on the ground.

The Coyotes’ road to the championship doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Wichita to face Friends University next Saturday at Adair-Austin Stadium.

-- KWU SI --

	Pictures courtesy of Bob Feaster