Jefferson expectations starting to soar

CEDAR RAPIDS - The puzzle pieces are out of the box and it is up to the Cedar Rapids Jefferson football players to assemble them.

The hope is for the arrangement to produce a playoff picture, including the first postseason win since 1992 and first winning record since 2000.

'I think the potential is there to get those three things,” Third-year head coach Brian Webb said. 'All those things are within our grasp.

'I can't go out and put the pads on for them. They have to go out and continue to work every single day to achieve those goals, but I think this is an exciting time for Jefferson football.”

The J-Hawks started the campaign to improve two straight 1-8 season as teams across the state opened with the first official day of practice Monday at Jefferson. Jefferson kicks off the season against Cedar Rapids Washington on Aug. 29 at Kingston.

Even though the J-Hawks began their season by running routes, making blocks, identifying formations and executing plays, the preparation and training for more success started in the spring.

'I think that is a tribute to our off-season,” Jefferson defensive end and offensive tackle Dalton Kuehl said. 'A lot of our guys worked hard this year. It was kind of a day and night difference.”

The Jefferson roster consists of about 50 players, which is considerably better than the 32 at the end of Webb's first season at the helm. Despite the loss of last year's top offensive producers to graduation including quarterback Layne Sullivan, running back Michael Moncivais and Ben Koering. The J-Hawks are optimistic about young and talented skill players.

'Our numbers are great,” Webb said. 'We have more speed. We have more depth and the overall level of excitement and commitment is better.”

Senior transfer Jesse Furrow, a highly-touted quarterback who played last fall in Indiana, could provide a boost to the offense.

'He's a great leader,” Kuehl said. 'He sets a great atmosphere on the field for us. He is a great playmaker.”

The defense returns a strong core of starters, including linebacker Luke Sedlacek and Cameron Frazier, who are the top returning tacklers. The defense has forged a strong bond and created progress.

'We've really connected and made a great team,” Sedlacek said. 'We are much further ahead than we were last year at this point.”

The trials of the previous years have been a learning experience. The J-Hawks look to turn that around and benefit from the past.

'Last year helped a lot of the players,” Sedlacek said. 'We're going to be a lot better.”

Jefferson will be the subject of the 'The Program.” The multimedia series chronicles the season of a prep football team with weekly features, game stories, behind-the-scenes articles and videos in The Gazette, KCRG-TV9 and their respective websites.

'The Program” highlighted Iowa City Regina's record-setting season last year and has also covered the Solon Spartans and Washington Warriors.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@sourcemedia.net