WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College returns home Tuesday looking to re-establish its rhythm in KCAC flag football when the Builders host the Cottey College Comets in a conference matchup at 6 p.m. on March 10 at Richard L. Jantz Stadium.
Southwestern enters at 2-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while Cottey is 3-2 overall and 1-1 in league action. The game matches a Southwestern team that has leaned on ball control and defense against a Cottey squad that has shown more explosiveness through the air.
The Builders have been at their best when quarterback Kennedi Hayes gets the passing game in sync and the defense creates stops. Southwestern has 429 passing yards through three games and has allowed only five rushing yards all season, an early sign of a defense that has made opponents one-dimensional. The Builders also have held the ball for more than 18 minutes per game, a figure that reflects a deliberate style built on possession and field position.
Hayes has accounted for 167 passing yards in her listed individual totals and directs an offense that has spread the ball around. Devina Lytle, Lilibeth Rico, Andrea Moon and Vivianna Solis have all been regular targets, and Southwestern's defense has been led by Moon and Solis, who have each posted six tackles in the listed defensive leaders. Solis also has been active around the line of scrimmage and in coverage, helping a unit that has produced nine sacks and 14 pass breakups.
Southwestern's numbers suggest a team that prefers to grind out possessions rather than chase big plays. The average 163 total yards per game and have converted only 2 of 19 third downs, so finishing drives remains an area to watch. Even so, their ability to limit rushing lanes and pressure quarterbacks has kept them competitive, particularly in lower-scoring games such as a 7-0 win over William Woods and a 12-6 win at Hesston College.
Cottey brings a different profile. The Comets have scored 47 points in two listed statistical games and have thrown for 299 yards and six touchdowns behind Raniya Griffin. Tahmya Squire has emerged as the top downfield threat with nine catches for 133 yards and four touchdowns, while Xitlali Botts has added six receptions for 64 yards and a score. Cottey's passing game has produced chunk plays, averaging 10 yards per reception, and gives the Comets a more vertical approach than Southwestern.
Defensively, Cottey has been disruptive. Monica Blanc has six tackles for loss and five sacks, Kaya Salazar has added two sacks, and the Comets have totaled seven sacks and five interceptions in the listed stats. That combination points to an aggressive defense willing to pressure the quarterback and gamble for takeaways. If Cottey can force Hayes off schedule, the Comets could make Southwestern's methodical offense work on long-yardage downs.
The contrast in styles is clear. Southwestern has relied on defense, possession time and a short-to-intermediate passing game, while Cottey has shown more big-play ability through the air and more havoc production on defense. The matchup could come down to which team controls the passing lanes: Southwestern's defense against Griffin and Squire, or Cottey's pass rush against Hayes.
In the most recent meeting between the teams at Richard L. Jantz Stadium, Southwestern defeated Cottey 13-6. In that game, Hayes threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns, while Southwestern's defense came up with two interceptions and key late stops. That result offers a recent blueprint for the Builders: protect the ball, defend the deep pass and make enough plays late.
Tuesday's conference game gives Southwestern a chance to strengthen its standing in league play, while Cottey will try to pick up a road win behind its more aggressive aerial attack. Based on the early-season numbers, expect a matchup between Southwestern's disciplined, defense-first approach and a Cottey team that prefers to pressure opponents and strike through the air.
