Winless to winners: Cedar Rapids Jefferson thumps Davenport Central for 1st winning regular season since 2015

CEDAR RAPIDS — From winless to a winning record.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson has made strides each season since Ed Miles took over as head football coach in 2022. The J-Hawks accomplished another milestone Thursday night. They secured their fifth win of the season, securing a winning regular-season record. A major feat after an 0-9 campaign just two seasons ago.

“Just another step for our program, our culture and things we set out to accomplish,” Miles said. “I couldn’t be prouder of these guys.”

Vernon Benda rushed for a touchdown and passed for three more, including two to sophomore wide receiver Osten Robertson, and Jefferson rolled to a 35-0 rout of Davenport Central Thursday night at Kingston Stadium.

“It was good,” Jefferson Coach Ed Miles said. “I was looking for a performance like this from our guys and this was exactly what we needed.”

The J-Hawks improved to 5-3 overall and its first season at .500 or better since they went 7-4 and reached the second round of the playoffs in 2015.

“It means a lot to us,” Robertson said. “We’re trying to change how the community looks at Jefferson. … I believe as a team we’re better than what people see and we’re proving that right now.”

The process starts with practice. Discipline and focus helped with the turnaround. The J-Hawks expect to win these type of games.

“There are big expectations,” Jefferson senior defensive end Anthony Snodey III said. “No talking on the sideline during practice and making sure starters play scout team, too. You can’t act like you’re good enough.”

Central (2-6) was one of the teams that kept Jefferson from a winning record a year ago. Thursday, Jefferson shut down the Blue Devils early and struck quickly on offense, forcing three straight three-and-outs and scoring on two of their first three possessions.

“We preached to the guys to start fast,” Miles said. “Get some momentum on our side and go out and play.”

The J-Hawks aired it out for their first touchdown. Benda hit Robertson for a 79-yard, play-action scoring strike, making it 7-0 with 6:35 left in the first quarter. Robertson recognized there was no safety over the top in coverage and he was the target.

“I knew that ball was coming,” Robertson said. “I had to get there and got there. I dropped one of those before in a game, so I knew I had to make that play for my team. I’m glad Vernon got there. I’m glad the (offensive) line got the blocks we needed and everyone executed their jobs.”

Ishara Kalolero’s 3-yard TD run capped the following drive to double Jefferson’s lead. Then, it was Benda and Robertson again with 45 seconds left before halftime, with Robertson hauling in a 20-yard TD pass for a 21-0 halftime lead.

“I was proud of the way he played,” Miles said. “I look for a lot of great things from him in the future.”

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Photos: Davenport Central vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson high school football

Jefferson lost its top receiver when junior L.J. Nyenow suffered a season-ending knee injury last week. The team had to fill a play-making void and Robertson stepped in and stepped up, tallying 108 yards on three receptions.

“I always knew I could come in and do it,” said Robertson, who entered Week 8 with three catches for 25 yards. “I was given an opportunity for it to be me.

“Vernon played amazing and our (offensive) line did, too. That was the reason we got open and the emphasis we had in practice. They delivered for us this week.”

The J-Hawks scored two TDs in a 10-second stretch in the third to enact a running clock. Jefferson covered 66 yards on 10 plays, ending in a Benda 7-yard scoring run around left end.

Central failed to cover the ensuing kickoff and Jefferson recovered the ball on the Blue Devils 23. On the next play, Benda hit Dayten Guy for a 23-yard TD pass for a 35-0 advantage. Benda finished with 184 passing yards.

“It is nice to take a step back to see the building of the program, coming from zero wins to four wins and now five wins,” Miles said. “You just want to get better and better. We’ve done that. I think we’ve got the right pieces in place. We have the right kids in place, the right coaches. I’m happy for the guys, especially the seniors to do something like this.”

Jefferson’s defense smothered Central. The J-Hawks held the Blue Devils to less than 50 yards of told offense and a mere six first downs. Even when Central did get good field position — recovering a fumble in the first quarter and driving into J-Hawk territory three other times — the Blue Devils were turned away.

“It’s preparation,” Snodey said. “When they ran jet sweep, we angled and learned stuff like that by watching film.

“It’s mental toughness. Just keeping everybody calm.”

The J-Hawks host No. 8 Iowa City Liberty next week. They still have a shot of qualifying for the playoffs. Miles said he told his team to enjoy the win for 12 hours before getting back to work.

“Like I told them, we have bigger things to do,” Miles said. “So, let’s do something crazy next week. That’s what we’ll be looking at.”

Cedar Rapids Jefferson 35, Davenport Central 0

AT KINGSTON STADIUM

DC CRJ

First Downs 6 11

Rushes-yards 29-38 25-115

Passing yards 10 184

Comp-att-int 3-13-1 11-18-0

Total yards 44 299

Fumbles-lost 3-0 1-1

Punts-avg. 5-35.6 2-43.0

Penalties-yards 2-10 7-76

Davenport Central 0 0 0 0 -- 0

C.R. Jefferson 14 7 14 0 -- 35

CRJ – Osten Robertson 79 pass from Vernon Benda (Lilli Ulrich kick)

CRJ – Ishara Kalolero 3 run (Ulrich kick)

CRJ – Robertson 20 pass from Benda (Ulrich kick)

CRJ – Benda 7 run (Ulrich kick)

CRJ – Dayten Guy 23 pass from Benda (Ulrich kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Davenport Central: Carson Williams 12-44, Giovanni Hayslett 7-40, Camren Tate 1-(minus 2), T.K. Morrison 1-(minus 3), Team 2-(minus 9), Marcus Burton 2-(minus 11), Nate Oakes 4-(minus 21). C.R. Jefferson: Kalolero 11-73, Harald Batige 4-14, Uweza Kalolero 6-9, Benda 2-8, Tyree Turner 1-7, Team 1-4.

PASSING – Davenport Central: Oakes 3-13-1-10. C.R. Jefferson: Benda 11-18-0-184.

RECEIVING – Davenport Central: Williams 2-1, Burton 1-9. C.R. Jefferson: Robertson 3-108, Guy 3-55, Jermaine Robinson 3-15, Lucas Ranard 1-5, I. Kalolero 1-1.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com