Photos Courtesy of Nick Dailey (@IDRSports)
Written By Rob Beckmann @Coach_Beckmann
The Indy Pirates are set to wrap up the 2021 spring football season on Sunday afternoon against their biggest rival – the Coffeyville Red Ravens. Separated by less than 17 miles, both teams have battled against the best in this most unusual of seasons, while themselves both hovering around the top of the Jayhawk Conference standings all year.
Sunday afternoon's game will determine third place in the Jayhawk and bestow bragging rights in one of Kansas's longest-running rivalries.
"It's exciting to be a part of this unique rivalry," Indy Head Football Coach Jason Martin said. "We're playing to be the best team in Montgomery County."
The #DreamU Pirates enter Sunday's match-up with a 4-2 overall record, having only played conference games in this abbreviated spring season. In their last outing, Indy fell behind to Dodge City 0-6 before scoring 34 unanswered points. The Pirates rode that huge first half to a triumphant 54-34 final score.
The offense was very balanced and looked unstoppable at times, racking up 605 total yards. Quarterback Brock Domann threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns with a 63% completion rate and no interceptions. Running back Pat Bowen took 16 carries for 160 yards, including a long 51-yard scamper that put the Pirates in scoring position.
Indy will look to continue that offensive success against a tough Red Ravens defense, which has only given up an average of 245.2 yards per game this season.
"It's a big game for our team and our community, and rivalry games always give the team a little extra motivation," said Pirates Offensive Coordinator Alex "Bear" Farah. "Coffeyville is well-coached, and their defense is physical and plays hard for all four quarters. We want to end this season on a high note and carry that momentum into the fall."
Coffeyville will enter Sunday's game with a 3-2 overall record, with their success this season centered around stingy defense and a run-heavy attack on offense. Indy will attempt to counter that with their stout rush defense, which ranks in the Top 10 in the nation, only allowing an average 81.5 yards per game.
Despite the circumstances of the game being most unusual because of COVID, the rivalry is most familiar for the Pirates.
"I love this group and I'm very thankful for one more go-around with these players and coaches," said Indy Defensive Coordinator Steve McCollom. "It's been a weird year, but they have handled adversity and everything that has been thrown their way. We want to finish this season the right way with one more win."
Kick-off is scheduled for 1:30PM CT on Sunday in Coffeyville. The game will be live-streamed here: https://www.kjcccsports.net/ICCPirates/