Energized Cedar Rapids Prairie football team ‘expecting to win right now’ with new coach Kyle Knock

CEDAR RAPIDS — B.Y.O.J.

Cedar Rapids Prairie football players are asked to “Bring Your Own Juice” under new Hawks head coach Kyle Knock.

“I didn’t get hired to be a rah-rah guy,” said Knock, replacing former Hawks Coach Mark Bliss, who stepped down in the offseason. “I need every guy on the roster and every coach to bring their own juice every day. Juice is energy, excitement, passion and enthusiasm. I told them if everyone brings their juice, do it with a positive attitude and give me everything they’ve got, we’ll let the chips fall where they may.”

The energy was high at John Wall Stadium as a portable speaker blared a playlist of 1990s hip hop during the first official day of football practice Monday. Prairie is coming off a 7-4 season and Class 5A state quarterfinal appearance in 2022.

“They’ve had great attitudes and work ethics, which makes it easy to drive home at night and say we’re going to be just fine,” Knock said. “We have a lot to learn. The parts that are not coachable are already in place.”

Intangibles are key to the X’s and O’s in football. The Hawks have responded well to the BYOJ challenge. They’re accountable for their own passion and attitude daily.

“It’s huge,” senior wide receiver and free safety Apollo Payne said. “A lot of times a team will have to have a captain give a huge speech to get everybody going. You can control your own effort and to ‘Bring Your Own Juice,’ you control how your practice is going to go and how you have fun. Bringing your energy is a big part of that.”

Knock served as a varsity assistant for 19 seasons, coaching the last 17 at his alma mater Cedar Rapids Kennedy after a year at Cedar Rapids Washington and one in Missouri. He was named the Hawks head coach in May, giving him a mere few months to establish his brand of play and assemble his coaching staff.

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“It’s been a whirlwind not having an offseason to prepare, having to put together a staff, offensive and defensive schemes, getting to know the kids and put together a lifting program. There have been so many things,” Knock said. “It’s been like non-stop.

“It’s been fun work. When you’ve dreamt of being in this position as long as I have, it’s like, bring on some more. I haven’t spent one moment where I said, ‘Oh, now, I have to do this’ or “Now, I have to do that.’”

Knock praised his assistant coaches, including new defensive coordinator Tyrone Schweiger, offensive line coach and former Hawkeye O.J. Payne, former Prairie running back Joe Meyer and former Anamosa Coach Derek Roberts.

“I put together a really good coaching staff,” Knock said about all three levels of high school teams. “We have a new principal. Spence Evans is all about football. The support he has given me all summer has been unbelievable. He wants to make our football games the best atmosphere in the state.”

Knock has received a lot of support from his wife and children. They helped him sort items during last week’s camp. Knock’s three kids will attend Kennedy, Franklin Junior High and Pierce Elementary this fall but they have acclimated to Prairie colors for Knock.

“My wife has been a huge help,” Knock said. “It’s been quite the change for them but they’re excited. They’re all bought in on Prairie. They wear their Prairie Hawks gear everywhere. They’ve been super supportive. They’ve helped.”

The players have adapted to almost a whole new staff and new playbooks. The transition has been fine.

“It’s been good,” Prairie quarterback Will Phillips said. “The team has come a long way from knowing nothing to knowing what we know now. We have to patch up a couple of things but we’ll be ready to roll into Week 1.”

Style of play? ‘It’s definitely going to be a change of pace’

One of the biggest changes will be on offense. The Hawks will exchange the run-heavy single-wing style for a more wide-open and spread offense with some old-school smashmouth components from Knock’s time at Kennedy.

Knock said the first question from players in initial conversations was whether they would throw the ball. Phillips smiled when asked about the possibility of airing things out in the pass game.

“It’s definitely going to be a change of pace from what it used to be,” Phillips said. “It will be a good change of pace and our guys are ready for it. We have the talent for it. We have the receivers and (offensive) line.

“The defensive will pick up its slack, too. It’s going to be a good team.”

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Payne was the Hawks’ leading receiver a year ago. He had 476 yards on 35 catches. Payne hauled in two touchdown catches. Expect those numbers to increase.

“I think it’s going to be beneficial for everyone on our team,” Payne said. “It’s going to be harder for opponents to defend. I’m excited as a receiver.”

Payne has emerged as a leader for the Hawks. He will play a prominent role on and off the field.

“Apollo is a playmaker,” Knock said. “He’ll go hunt a football. If you throw it up, he’s tall and long and can jump. He is a kid with athletic ability. He’s a leader. The kids follow him. He’s one we’re really leaning on.”

Payne has accepted that role. He said the team has a strong camaraderie, providing honest feedback to each other. Payne said he is willing to do anything to help the Hawks’ bond.

“I love these guys,” Payne said. “I’ve been with them since third or fourth grade and we’re pretty close. It means a lot to me to have their respect.”

Phillips, running back Casey Kelley and linemen Matt Wilson and Haydn Wilson are among the top returners on offense. Phillips is a 6-foot-4, strong-armed QB who saw limited action last season, throwing for 244 yards and four TDs and averaging 13.6 yards per completion.

“He understands football,” Knock said. “He’s going to be the one that makes the whole thing go.”

Defensively, Collin Velky returns at middle linebacker. The secondary includes Payne, Brock Harder and Maurice Turner, who recently ran a 4.4 second 40-yard dash at the Iowa State camp. The defensive line has three players who stand 6-5 or taller and Taiwon Young, the top returning tackler with 15 total and eight solo from last season, gives them a threat at end.

“Taiwon is all energy all the time,” Knock said. “We’re going to stand him up on the edge and let him go play football.

“I could go on and on. It’s a great group of young men. I told the seniors that this isn’t a rebuilding year or a new regime so it’s going to take a minute. No, we’re expecting to win right now. We have the ability to do it.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com