Late TD sends Cedar Rapids Prairie past Washington in Week 1 thriller

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Prairie's Dalton Rayner notched his second completion of the game and it was a big one.

Rayner hit Grant Smith, who made a juggling catch in the back of the end zone, converting a 4th-and-goal from the 10.

Class 4A ninth-ranked Prairie made the following PAT and Jaylynn Smith picked off a pass to seal a 21-20 victory over No. 6 Cedar Rapids Washington on Friday night at Kingston Stadium. The Hawks snapped a four-game skid against the Warriors.

Washington had taken a 20-14 lead on a Haven Henningsen 15-yard scoring run with 4:42 left, but a trick pass play on the conversion failed, leaving the door open for the Hawks.

Prairie trailed 14-0 after the opening drive of the second half, but stormed back with TDs on three straight possessions. Keegan Simmons and Braxton Zimmerman each ran for touchdowns, tying the game 14-14.

Simmons had a 1-yard TD and finished with 129 yards. Zimmerman had a 4-yard TD and finished with 75.

Henningsen provided a boost for the Warriors, rushing for 170 yards.

Henningsen opened the scoring. He took the direct snap to the right, but Prairie looked to have the play covered. Henningsen broke a tackle, made a spin move and squirted through to open field, racing 46 yards for a touchdown and giving Washington a 7-0 lead with 4:43 left before halftime.

Washington took a 14-0 lead when Kunde plunged in from one yard, capping a 77-yard drive to open the second half.

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