Jefferson not satisfied with lone victory

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kelly May might have said it better than anyone.

'Granted, it feels good,” May said after Cedar Rapids Jefferson's 42-7 win over Davenport North last Friday, 'but I think I speak for everyone when I say none of us are satisfied.”

The J-Hawks have matched their win total of each of the last two seasons and look to increase the total with a return trip to Brady Street Stadium on Thursday night to face winless Davenport West. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

'We're hungry for wins,” Jefferson junior lineman Alex Fernandez said. 'We're not going to be satisfied until we get to the grass.

'We've been using that motto because our next grass game would be the playoffs. We're shooting for that goal.”

The J-Hawks have much at stake in this game. Jefferson could improve to 2-2, marking the first time in six years since it won more than one game in a season. A win would give the J-Hawks a .500-record since Week 8 of the 2008 season.

'I think putting another win on the board for us will cement our status as an improving team,” Jefferson wide receiver and defensive back Mason Furnish said. 'I believe if we can win some of those district games people we know we are back to stay, we're improving and we will be able to compete at a high level again.”

The significance isn't lost on the players. The first consecutive wins since Oct. 2008 could have an impact on the current players, supporters, school community and past and future J-Hawks.

'It is a huge deal,” Fernandez said. 'It's great for the program, and really brings a lot of energy. It boosts everybody's morale.”

Major strides were taken last week during practice and the victory. Jefferson Coach Brian Webb pointed to the changes in practice as a catalyst to success. The concept is cyclical as the J-Hawks have parlayed it into an even better week of preparation.

'Winning cures a lot of things and changes a lot of attitudes,” Webb said. 'Overall, I thought this was our best week of practice, even better than last week.”

Jefferson hammered the Wildcats last week, leading 42-0 at one point and sitting starters for the majority of the second half. The convincing win provided proof the work during the week and the system produces success.

'It put a lot of confidence in us,” said Furnish. 'This week has definitely been the best I've ever been a part of.”

Miles seem to separate where the J-Hawks were before a disappointing three-point loss to Cedar Rapids Prairie until now. The theme for the program under Webb is 'Accountability” and he was determined to change the atmosphere in practice to support the theme and help eliminate mental mistakes that have plagued the J-Hawks. Wednesday night's practice was a prime example as the team did exercises after a mental miscue, causing Webb to encourage the team to 'keep moving forward, not back” and mention the strong effort of the previous three days. The actions produced better execution in the win over North.

'There is a consequence for every penalty in practice,” Webb said. 'We do the consequence as a team, so that really has limited our penalties in practice.

'Kids accept it and know it. I think deep down they know it's going to be a better football team.”

The J-Hawks face a West team that suffered a 24-22 loss to North in the season opener. The Falcons have allowed a little more than 37 points a game so far. Don't expect the J-Hawks to look beyond West for the start of district competition. Three wins in the last five seasons is a reminder nothing can be taken for granted.

'I don't think we'll overlook anybody this year,” Webb said. 'We still have a lot to prove. We know we have a lot to prove. It's our last non-district game and we start getting into district games which determines where we land there.”

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