1980 Team

9-0, ranked #2 in NJCAA poll

From 1976 through 1979, Coffeyville was known primarily for its aerial attack. Planning to continue throwing the ball in 1980, two major changes occurred in mid-summer.  Returning quarterback Joe Holder was signed by the University of Missouri, and CCC signed five great out-of-state running backs. A month before practice, Head Coach Dick Foster knew he had a good option quarterback in Don Hanna and five good running backs. He had also hired Dale Burkholder as his new offensive line coach.

With Greg Iseman (fullback) and freshmen Mike Rozier, Brian Smith, Mel Gray and John Hiatt, the Ravens made a complete change. The offensive line consisted of sophomores Kirk Miller, Skip Foster, Kevin Hooper and Dean Hamel; freshmen Kevin Frerking, Mike Carroll, Tim Hall and Skip Carlson, and tight end Mike Russell.  They developed into one of the top offensive units in the country. Two new defensive coaches, Tom Saia (defensive line) and Doug Lee (defensive secondary/defensive coordinator), changed to a 4-3 front. Foster also had three outstanding linebackers in Rich Giesen, Stu Peters and Bobby Hanna.  In the secondary were Brad Nieder, Scott Chalene, Larry Smith, Reco Hawkins and Kevin Beard.

Coffeyville’s Memorial Hall burned in July 1980, so the Ravens went to the practice facility at LeClere Park.  To recap the season, early season injuries plagued the Raven offensive line; the defense forced five interceptions and led the Ravens to a 48-6 romp over Highland. Chalene had two interceptions and 127 yards on three punt returns.  Neider intercepted a pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. Larry Smith and Don Hanna also had picks.

Coffeyville’s defense dominated again in an 11-0 shutout in Pratt. In a rarity, the Ravens scored two safeties. Next was a home game against Hutchinson. The Raven offense got in high gear and glided to a 26-0 victory. Hanna had 15 solo tackles and three assists, while Chalene suffered a season-ending knee injury. Following a 42-9 victory over Butler County, the Red Ravens amassed an astronomical 743 total yards, a school record in defeating Independence 59-7.

Cowley County, also 4-0, then came to Ise Athletic Field. The game was billed as a battle between two great defenses, but it ended up being the second highest scoring game in Red Raven history. Coffeyville scored 40 points in the second half  to win 54-38.

Despite playing without much intensity, the Red Ravens ripped Fort Scott 35-6. Baker had a 78-yard punt return, and a Larry Smith interception lead to Rozier’s second score.  Rozier finished the night with 176 yards on 28 carries. To win the conference crown outright, the Red Ravens had to win at Dodge City. Rozier had his best game, rushing for 295 yards on 32 carries to lead Coffeyville past the Boot Hill Gang 63-21. Iseman had 149 yards on 19 tries, including a 65-yard touchdown run, and Brian Smith had 146 yards on 13 carries.

The Ravens played Arizona Western in the Beef Empire Bowl in Garden City. It was supposed to be an offensive battle with two Wishbone offenses that were the best in the NJCAA. Instead, it was a defensive battle with the Ravens pulling out a 7-6 victory in the last 38 seconds. It was snowing, the ground was frozen, and it was cold. The Ravens’ winning drive came with less than four minutes to play. Starting at Coffeyville’s 33-yard line, Hanna started the drive with a 33-yard run to the Western 45 before handoffs to Rozier. Iseman and Smith moved the ball to the 20-yard line. From the 20, split end Jay Baker took off on a 16-yard reverse, getting to the 2-yard line with the help of a penalty on the Matadors. Two plays later, Hanna rolled to his right and dove the final two yards for the score. Freshman Jim Sherwood provided the margin of victory by splitting the up rights on the point-after try. It proved the slogan Coach Foster stated many times, “a team won’t be beat, can’t be beat.”

The Ravens finished second in the final NJCAA Poll. Northeast Oklahoma was ranked first. Garden City was expelled from the league at the August conference meeting because five out-of-state players arrived at the semester and were counted as in-state players. The eight league coaches refused to play them.  After Garden City was dropped from the schedule, CCC tried to schedule a game with NEO, as both had an open date.  NEO refused; they knew Coffeyville had a great team.

Skip Foster, Greg Iseman, Rich Giesen and Brad Nieder were all selected as team captains. Mike Rozier was chosen First Team All-American, both by the J.C. Gridwire and NJCAA. Skip Foster was named Second Team All-American by the J.C. Gridwire, and Brad Nieder was named honorable mention by both organizations. Four members of this outstanding 9-0 team went on to play professional football − Mike Rozier, Mel Gray, Dean Hamel and Reco Hawkins.

The 1980 Ravens were a special team because of their talented athletic abilities. More important, they were a close-knit group of young men who cared about each other.