The Coffeyville Red Ravens started their 2018 season last night at Veterans Memorial Stadium against the Iowa Western Reivers and lost 19 to 6. The Reivers came into this game as the 2017 Region 6 champs and was given a 2 seed in the NJCAA preseason polls. It was also Donor Awareness Game last night at the field as fans wore green in support of both Pat Strohmeier, the mother of the Iowa Westerns coach Scott Strohmeier, and Head coach Aaron Flores as they share a special bond by both undergoing the same lung transplant procedure. The game started as most other opening week games, a bit slow as the first quarter passed with no scoring plays. Reivers came out early in the second quarter and put their first scoring play of 2018 which was an 8 yard pass from QB Tyriek Starks to Richardson to move up by 7, which certainly could have been turned into a couple more touchdowns but the defensive line really came to play for the Red Ravens. Reivers were able to tack on another field goal with 20 seconds in the first half. Red Ravens started Reese Shaw in the first half at the quarterback position who finished at 3-8 for 34 yards, but brought in Carson Proctor in the second half. Proctor wentz 6-11 for 138 yards and brought the Red Ravens their first TD of the year with a 70 yard pass to Thomas. He did throw an interception but that was not the main concern on the offensive side. Despite the experience the offensive line was not giving much time for either back to operate, as the Ravens fumble the football 6 times last night 2 of which were recovered and only rush for just over a yard per carry. The defense did their job keeping the game within reach but the offense just could not get passed the powerful run defense of the Reivers, though fans leave the stadium optimistic of the 2018 season. There were many times you could see strong parts of the offense but only in bits and pieces as they look to improve for week two. Red Ravens travel to Fort Scott next Saturday.