The Sigourney Keota Cobras kicked off their season on the road Friday night, taking on the Prairie City Monroe Mustangs. The Cobras came out strong in the first half, but a late comeback from the Mustangs handed SK its first loss of the season with a final score of 22-15.

In a game heard on the new KCII3 stream, the Cobra defense showed up early, forcing a punt on PCM’s opening drive. With good field position on their first possession, SK looked poised to open up the scoring thanks to a long run from spin back, Sawyer Stout. The Mustangs were able to punch the ball out inside the five yard line, however,  forcing the game’s first turnover. Once again, the defense stepped up for SK, answering with a safety on the next play from scrimmage.

The game would not stay 2-0 for long, as Cobra returner, Isaac Bruns took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. Following a Caden Clarahan extra point, SK carried a 9-0 lead into the second quarter. It was on the next Mustang drive that the Cobra defense would again rise to the occasion, forcing a fumble near midfield. SK used the short field to their advantage, quickly entering the redzone. After a Cobra fumble at the goal line, it was recovered in the endzone by Brody Greiner diving on the loose ball for SK’s second touchdown of the night.

This score would seemingly wake up the PCM offense, who answered the Cobra score with a touchdown of their own, a 23-yard connection from quarterback Gavin VanGorp to receiver Griffin Olson. With the score now 15-7, PCM had the opportunity to tie late in the second quarter, before an interception by Brady Clark put an end to the half.

Into the second half, SK’s offense struggled to string together substantial drives, plagued by turnovers and untimely penalties. PCM meanwhile notched two more scores: another 23-yard touchdown catch from Olson, later followed by an Adrien Robbins 22-yard run to give the Mustangs a 22-15 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. The Cobras refused to quit, driving all the way down to the redzone in the final minutes, until Olson’s second interception of the game sealed it for PCM.

With the loss, Sigourney Keota looks ahead to their week 2 matchup with 1-0 Mediapolis. The Cobras ended the Bulldogs’ season last year with a 20-14 win in the second round of the 1A playoffs. Meanwhile, the KCII Area Game of the Week heads to Wapello next week, as they welcome the Columbus Wildcats.