In an instant, Central College’s football conference championship hopes were dashed. Donny Groezinger’s halfback pass was intercepted in overtime, preserving a 27-24 win for Coe in a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

The Dutch bolted out to a 10-0 lead on a school record tying 99-yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown by freshman Jason Hopp, an interception by Tate Jensen, and a 41-yard Jon Alberts field goal. After Coe rallied to tie, Central took a 17-10 lead into intermission on a 31-yard pass from first-time freshman starter Brayden Egli to Tanner Schmeinke.

Two third-quarter scores gave the Kohawks the lead, and the Dutch tied it at 24 with an Egli toss to Eric Knaack. Coe was driving for a game-winning score at the end of regulation, but a Louis Kreigel hit forced a fumble that was recovered by Drew Kithcart.

The Kohawks drilled a field goal to start overtime, and after Egli’s first-down pass was nearly intercepted, Central’s attempt at a trick play backfired.

The Dutch have dropped two straight to fall to 7-2 on the season and 5-2 in league play, now fourth place behind league-leaders Simpson, Wartburg and Dubuque.