Cedar Rapids trio experience football success

CEDAR RAPIDS — The gates were open, the lights were on and Kingston Stadium was unusually busy for a Sunday night.

Cedar Rapids Washington walked to the tunnel to leave after its practice, passing Cedar Rapids Jefferson as it shuffled to the field to begin its workout. Fortunately, Cedar Rapids Kennedy elected to prepare on the field tucked behind the school.

It's the price you pay when the trio of Metro football programs remain alive in the Class 4A football playoffs.

Third-ranked Kennedy, No. 4 Washington and Jefferson have produced unprecedented success this season. All three teams will compete in a doubleheader Monday at Kingston Stadium. Kennedy will host North Scott (5-5), beginning at 5:30 p.m. Washington and Jefferson will face each other in the nightcap, which is slated to start at 8 p.m.

All three public high schools have reached the postseason only three times (2008, 2014 and 2015) since the start in 1972. This year's opening round marked the first time all three won playoff games in the same season.

The success may not have been expected, but it isn't a head-scratcher either in an age of district play.

'I just know there is good coaching in the other two schools,' Washington Coach Paul James said. 'Everybody is working hard in the weight room, so it's not surprising.'

Players have more exposure to high school programs at a younger age. Youth programs and feeder teams run similar offense and defense. They attend spring and summer clinics at the school, understanding schemes better by the time they reach the varsity level.

'It's nice for us to have success, because people focus on the suburban schools,' Kennedy Coach Brian White said. 'I've been coaching in the Metro since 1995 and can remember when all three schools struggled to have six wins combined. It's a tribute to a lot of things.'

James, who has been at Washington for about 40 years, recalled 1977 being an exceptional year. Jefferson's Gregg Trosky and Kennedy's Tracy Crocker were all-state running backs. The Warriors were 7-2, but none of the teams made the playoffs,

The adage of rising tides raise all boats might apply this year. They have combined for a 26-4 record with three losses at the hands of each other. The stakes are high for the players, vying for bragging rights against friends on other teams.

'It's always that way in the Metro,' James said. 'Whenever we play, you can't take anyone for granted. Typically, when the three of us meet you throw the records out.'

Facing each other in the regular season groomed them for the postseason. They helped each other become battle-tested.

'The fact that they are inner-city rivalries it gets our kids ready to play that much more,' White said. 'The competition does prepare us for a lot later on.'

Kennedy is 10-0 for the first time in school history. Washington is 9-1, losing 28-24 to Kennedy in Week 2. Jefferson is 7-3 with losses to Kennedy and Washington, but own a four-game winning streak after a first-round win over Dubuque Senior.

Jefferson, Kennedy and Washington defeated their first-round opponents by a combined 84 points.

'As good a season as we are having, Kennedy is having the best season ever,' Jefferson Coach Brian Webb said. 'It's a good year. Sports is cyclical.'

The J-Hawks have resurrected a once-proud program, qualifying for the state playoffs for the eighth time and first time in consecutive seasons. They won their first playoff game since the 1992 Class 4A state quarterfinals.

The results have been a product of growing participation numbers and cooperation with youth-level coaches.

'It's been a process,' said Webb, who is in his fourth season leading the J-Hawks. 'This year's class just didn't show up. We had to build these kids. Even though we are talented, we had to teach them a lot of things and they have come a long way.'

Jefferson and Washington will renew their storied rivalry, playing for the second time this season. They have combined for 31 playoff appearances, but have only played each other twice in the postseason.

This marks the first playoff game between them since 1979. Washington won that state quarterfinal, 14-6. Jefferson won, 10-7, in the 1976 quarterfinals.

Washington has won 22 of its last 24 games, reaching the 4A championship last year. The Warriors' goal has been to return to the UNI-Dome.

'They seem to be pretty locked in at meetings,' James said. 'On the field, as far as picking up assignments and those types of things, I think they are doing a better job and that comes with being more focused.'

The Warriors pulled away late to win this season's opener 27-14. Webb said the J-Hawks are improved offensively, but have to find a way to stop Washington's athletic playmakers. He added that his players are confident in closing the gap.

'We're looking forward to the challenge,' Webb said. 'We keep getting closer and closer with Washington and our kids will be ready to compete. It should be a good game.'

Kennedy extended its playoff streak to 11 straight. The Cougars are looking for their sixth trip to the state quarterfinals and first since 2013. They have allowed just 40 points in the last eight games with three shutouts, including a 59-0 first-round win over Clinton and a 42-0 win over North Scott to start the stretch.

White said the previous score is misleading and it was tight through three quarters. He emphasized to his team that the Lancers will be out to prove they are better.

'They are going to come in on fire,' White said. 'They are going to want to win and shock everybody, so that's what we're preparing for. We are preparing for a war. The kids are ready for it. They understand this will be a tough, hard-fought game.'

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