Unknowns abound in Metro as football season opens

How do you scout the unknown?

Whether it's a new system, new faces or the injury to a key player, there is plenty of unknown to go around in the Metro as the first layer of the football season is peeled off.

Linn-Mar and Cedar Rapids Jefferson kick off the Mississippi Valley Conference slate Thursday, then two Metro-vs.-Metro matchups highlight the Friday docket.

Cedar Rapids Prairie kicks off the Mike Morrissey Era -- and unveils a new-and-improved John Wall Field -- when it entertains Cedar Rapids Washington, while Class 4A 10th-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier and Cedar Rapids Kennedy renew their 42nd Street acquaintances at Kingston Stadium.

"I got an email from one of my coaches earlier this week, saying he was already getting anxious," said Morrissey, an energetic 28-year-old who will try to add a jolt to a once-proud Prairie program that has slid backward in recent years. "The kids are ready, and the community is excited."

The Hawks face a Washington squad that has been beset by adversity before the season's first snap.

Quarterback A.J. Puk decided to leave the program to concentrate on baseball, and tailback Will Griffin is out a few weeks with an ankle injury.

"We can't pay attention to any of that," Morrissey said. "We've been practicing like they have their best players possible. They'll be athletic and well-coached, and they'll have some guys that create matchup problems."

Kennedy and Xavier are familiar neighbors. They met in last year's opener (Xavier dominated it, 35-7), and again in the first round of the playoffs (Kennedy took that one, 11-7).

Both teams were hit hard by graduation.

"Hardly any of the guys, for either team, have a lot of varsity experience," said Kennedy Coach Tim Lewis, who likened the matchup to a race -- a race to reach game speed.

The first game can be a tone-setter.

"The first game, the first half, the first quarter ... it's a pretty important part of the whole season," said Xavier Coach Duane Schulte. "You try to simulate it in practice, but that's hard to do. You just tell the kids to be ready."