Kuehl key component for Jefferson

This is expected to be a turnaround season for Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

J-Hawk senior Dalton Kuehl was expected to help lead the charge from upfront on the line. Unfortunately, Jefferson found itself trying to earn its first victory without him and he was stuck with the uneasy feeling of being on the sideline last week.

'It's frustrating not being able to contribute,' Kuehl said. 'To an extent you feel like it's your fault. You could have contributed to a win.'

An injury also will keep him in street clothes for what could be the J-Hawks' first triumph of the season, facing Davenport North today at Brady Street Stadium in Davenport. Jefferson takes on North (1-1) after a tough three-point loss to Cedar Rapids Prairie last week and a competitive performance against Class 4A fourth-ranked Cedar Rapids Washington in the opener.

'I think this week has been the best week of practice from watching them,' Kuehl said. 'Everybody wants to avenge that loss.'

Kuehl wants to be in the lineup, but a torn quadriceps will force him to watch again. The team success trumps his personal desires to take the field.

'I'd like to be in there playing,' said Kuehl, who suffered the injury during the Washington game and played overcame it to play the remainder of the game. 'I just want them to win.'

Wins have been hard to come by for Jefferson in recent years. The potential is high for a rebound season. He is anxious to get back into action to help build a winning culture in the program. It's hard to contain his competitive spirit.

'Being a senior, missing a game is crushing, especially Dalton, who has aspirations to play in college,' Jefferson Coach Brian Webb said. 'It's a blow to him.

'I know Dalton and he wants to be practicing,' Webb added. 'He loves to play.'

The second-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference divisional selection last season makes an impact for the J-Hawks. With him in the trenches, Jefferson rushed for 136 yards against Washington and just 112 without him in the three-point loss to Cedar Rapids Prairie. Interestingly, Cedar Rapids Kennedy managed 117 rushing yards against Washington, while Prairie allowed 172 to Linn-Mar in its opener.

'He would have been an X-Factor,' Webb said about the Prairie game. 'But, I told my kids Dalton was not the difference last week.'

To make things worse, Kuehl said he feels ready to play and has hopes to be back next week against Davenport West. Coaches and other personnel are being conservative so he can avoid aggravating it during a late-season playoff push. Webb said rest and recovery are the best current treatments.

'Right now, it doesn't hurt that bad,' Kuehl said. 'They're making me sit this week as a precaution. It's frustrating I can't get back out there.'

In the meantime, Kuehl has led in a different way. He helps chart plays. Webb said he continues to be engaged, helping the J-Hawks improve.

'I correct them,' Kuehl said. 'I take a clipboard and worksheet and keep track of their mistakes and what they do well.'

Kuehl is making the most of the situation. Webb said having something you love taken away hurts, but Kuehl has maintained his role to fulfill his duty as a team captain.

'We're trying to put him in another role to help the team,' Webb said. 'He does it with his want and will to get back playing.'

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