In 1977 the last game of the regular season, CCC was defeated by Garden City 31-7. Determined to bounce back and have a great team in 1978, the Raven’s slogan was  “Ravens: Dominate in 1978.” The ‘78 team had all the elements of a National Championship team, 15 quality sophomores and one of the top freshman classes in Coach Dick Foster’s 14 years as Head Coach for the Ravens.

 

The Ravens went 9-1 during the regular season losing to Northeastern Oklahoma 10-7 and then pounded previously unbeaten Iowa Central 38-6 in the Coca-Cola Bowl in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The NJCAA had declared Iowa Central National Champions prior to the bowl game based on the national poll. The next year the NJCAA would wait and make the final vote after the last bowl game.

 

The first win was at Highland 27-0. The Pratt game was the closest conference game as Gene Wayenberg notched what proved to be the winning touchdown on a 54-yard pass play from Mike Long with 7:05 remaining in the game 27-24. Coffeyville annihilated Hutchinson 64-14 at Ise Field as Mike Long completed 11 of 20 passes for 280 yards and 4 touchdowns. Scott Cooper had 3 touchdown receptions of 30, 65, and 30 yards. 

The Ravens lost at NEO 10-7 on two second-half touchdowns that were called back. Sophomore Mike Ruzich had 16 solo tackles, including four behind the line of scrimmage and eight assists. 

 

The Ravens won at El Dorado 28-0. Freshman RB Ernie Coleman from Wichita carried the ball 16 times for 216 yards. Next, we swamped the Pirates 34-16.

 

Cowley County lost to the Ravens 51-7. The team amassed 521 total yards. Homecoming brought a CCC 50 – 21 win over Ft Scott. The Ravens ended the regular season with a 28 - 0 win against Dodge and a 28 – 7 victory against Garden City.

 

The Coca-Cola Bowl on Sunday, November 19 at the Uni-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa would be the last game for the great team of 1978. One of the largest crowds the Ravens had played before, 6,400 the Ravens won 38-6. The Ravens led 24-0 at the half against the outmanned Tritons who failed to cross midfield in the first half. The Ravens rolled up 465 total yards and allowed the run-oriented Tritons just 11 net yards in 40 attempts. Eric Kaifes had six booming punts for a 50.2 average.

 

Coffeyville placed six players on the All-Conference First Team: Anthony Flanders, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in just 7 games, Center - Keith Houfek, Tackle - Calvin Anderson, Defensive Tackle - Tim Cole, Nose Guard - Mike Ruzich, and Defensive Back - Dan Degenhardt. On the Second Team, Wide Receiver - Scott Cooper, Quarterback - Mike Long, Defense Tackle - Danny Lee, and Defensive End - Ken McGovern. Honorable mention: Keith Ice, Mike Lamberson, Al Hill, Mitch Weir, Will Cokeley, and Mark Conrad.

 

Coffeyville had four All-Americans in 1978: Defensive Lineman Mike Ruzich was selected First Team by both the NJCAA and the JC Grid Wire. Quarterback Mike Long was Second Team by the J.C. Grid Wire. Keith Houfek Second Team NJCAA, Defensive Tackle Tim Cole Second Team NJCAA. Mike Long led the nation in passing by completing 146 of 296 passes for 2,177 yards and 23 touchdowns. He is currently Coffeyville’s career passing leader with 4,158 yards and 37 touchdowns.

 

Forty years later, the great Ravens: “Dominate in 1978” is honored to be inducted into the 20th Red Raven Hall of Fame.