Metro Sports Report

Kohawks looking for faster starts

The Coe College football team has outscored its first two opponents, 64-19, in the second half of games this season.

That's the good news.

Unfortunately, the Kohawks have been outscored 38-14 in the first half, primarily because they trailed Wheaton 31-0 at intermission in the opener two weeks ago.

That's the bad news.

Coe rallied and nearly caught Wheaton before falling, 36-28. This past Saturday, the Kohawks led Cornell 14-7 at intermission before rolling in the second half for a 50-21 triumph.

Needless to say, the Kohawks will be looking for a faster start this Saturday when they host Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the home opener at Clark Field at 1 p.m.

New MSR feature: Metro football stats

The Metro Sports Report will be providing updated statistics for the eight Metro football teams each week this season, beginning this week as we head into the fourth game of the year.

Mark Dukes, a contributor to the MSR, will be compiling the stats based on the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) website and game reports.

We will be offering a variety of individual and team statistics to help readers keep track of what's happening and enjoy the season.

Jay Kortemeyer of Xavier is leading the Metro in rushing with 368 yards after three games. Trey Beckman of Prairie is the leading passer with 686 yards and Jalen Rima of Prairie is the top receiver with 14 catches.

Monson happy with 3 titles in row

Meg Monson can be her own worst critic on a golf course, but at this point it would be nit-picking.

Monson has been enjoying a terrific season at Mount Mercy University and is one of the hottest golfers at the NAIA level in the midwest.

Monson began the fall campaign with a second-place finish at the Mount Mercy Invitational at Hunters Ridge in Marion, but that was just a hint of things to come.

She has captured three straight titles since then with medalist honors at the Spirit Hollow Invitational in Burlington, the Fighting Scots Invitational in Monmouth (Ill.) and the Viterbo Invitational this past weekend in La Crosse (Wis.).

"I'm pretty happy with it," Monson said Monday. "It's nice to finally see all the hard work pay off. Last year I didn't do as well as I would've liked, so it's good to see it finally pay off now."

Prairie tops No.6 Lions again

The Prairie and Linn-Mar volleyball teams are so evenly matched that both coaches agreed the difference in their well-played battle Tuesday night came down to a mental mind-set.

Down 10-5 in the deciding fifth set on their home floor, the Prairie Hawks aggressively charged back to tie it at 11 and put away the match 15-13.

“These girls just don’t want to lose,” said first-year Prairie Coach Lynnette Stecklein. “But in the end, they were playing not to lose but playing to win. And they did it.”

Second-year Linn-Mar Coach Teresa Kehe, on the other hand, said her Class 5A sixth-ranked squad is struggling with success.

“These kids are not used to being ranked and being a top dog,” she said.