Cedar Rapids preps contribute to Cornell

MOUNT VERNON - They may have different approaches, but the contributions are similar.

Aaron Gruwell and Maliek Ketchens have developed into key components of the Cornell's defensive secondary.

The safety combination from Cedar Rapids complement each other well, helping lead the Rams defense to a 1-1 mark. Cornell will open Midwest Conference play, hosting Ripon (Wis.) College Saturday at Ash Park, starting at 1 p.m.

Both are in their second season as starting safeties. Ketchens leads the team with 21 tackles at free safety. Gruwell, a strong safety, has Cornell's lone forced fumble with 10 stops.

'The funny thing is they are two completely different type of kids,” Cornell Coach Vince Brautigam said. 'Maliek is loud, where Gru is quiet, but they are both in the same defensive backfield and coexist well.”

They each serve a key role for the Rams. Ketchens is a little more outgoing and louder. He provides an emotional spark for Cornell's defense. The Rams feed off his spirit.

'He pushes everyone during practice and the games,” Gruwell said of Ketchens. 'He's a real vocal guy. He gets your confidence up.”

Gruwell is more reserved. His biggest statement is the way he conducts himself on and off the field, showing his teammates what to do.

'He doesn't have to speak up,” Ketchens said of Gruwell. 'You watch him on film and he does what he's supposed to do. Coaches will tell you he's probably the most consistent player on defense.”

Both have come a long way since they stepped on the Cornell campus after playing for crosstown rivals Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Cedar Rapids Washington. Gruwell, a senior, wasn't recruited much as a J-Hawk. Ketchens moved in and played his senior season for the Warriors.

Gruwell's growth came physically. He admitted he was about 145 pounds when he joined the program, leaving coaches to wonder if he could meet the physical demands of strong safety. Gruwell earned the Rams' most improved defensive player award last season. Brautigam said the 5-foot-10, 165-pounder worked hard to get bigger and stronger, and praised Gruwell's tenacity.

'If it calls for him to come in and make a tackle against someone much bigger, he does it,” Brautigam said. 'He also has to run with the offense's best receiver at times, so he's a jack of all trades. He has learned to master it well.”

Football has been a big part of Gruwell's life. His father, Roger, has been a Jefferson assistant and has been involved in Metro Youth Football Association. He recalled being a water boy for his dad's teams when he was 4 and 5 years old. He played flag football and started tackle in grade school. Gruwell wants to remain in football.

'I'd like to get involved in coaching,” said Gruwell, planning to be an elmentary-school teacher. 'I'd love to work with kids and share my passion.”

Ketchens was an outside linebacker for Washington and has transitioned from linebacker to safety. He has put in the time and worked to improve.

'I wasn't half as good as I am now,” Ketchens said. 'I think a lot of that goes to (assistant) coach Jay Davis.

'Davis is the greatest coach I have ever played for.”

Ketchens managed eight tackles as a freshman. Last year, he took a larger role, directing the defense, and tallied 73 tackles with 51 solo. He calls the defensive plays, making checks and reads and getting teammates in the right position based on the opposing formation. He has made strides from when he took control.

'It's a trial by fire,” said Brautigam, noting Ketchens has untapped athletic potential. 'You have to go through those trials and tribulations before you can totally understand it.

'Having a full year under his belt was huge. You can tell he's much more comfortable.”

Ketchens said his understanding of the game has improved. Last year was nerve-racking but he embraces the job now.

'I like it,” Ketchens said. 'I've grown into it.

'It's a big responsibility, but it's definitely a responsibility I like taking on.”

Being in the right place is half the battle. Ketchens said he understands the game more and has made the biggest strides mentally. The Rams defense is better for it.

'It doesn't matter if you're a great tackler or you can catch a million interceptions,” Ketchens said. 'If you don't know where to be or what the offense is going to do in which formation then you're at a loss.”

The Rams have just nine Iowans on their 64-player roster. Half of its defensive secondary is from 15 minutes down the road, prepping in Cedar Rapids.

'We strive to get more Iowa kids every year,” Brautigam said. 'We'd love to have more Iowa kids. They have definitely done Cedar Rapids proud, as far as how they have grown as young men and how they perform on the football field.”

The Rams suffered a lopsided loss to Coe two weeks ago, falling to 1-1. They will try to rebound against the Red Hawks, who are also 1-1.

'I'm excited for this week,” Ketchens said. 'It's going to be a good game. We improved over the bye week and it was needed after what happened last time. We are ready to get rolling.”

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