Cedar Rapids Jefferson football continues winning ways with 40-0 romp of Marshalltown

CEDAR RAPIDS — Now, it’s a win streak.

Three straight seasons and 26 games without a victory has given way to a start Cedar Rapids Jefferson hasn’t experienced in more than two decades.

“It means a lot for the team, especially us seniors,” Jefferson quarterback Jeremiah Peiffer said. “We’ve been through a lot. It also means a lot to the community. They’ve been here the whole ride with us. To see the whole crowd being happy here, it puts a smile on your face.”

The J-Hawks and their supporters had plenty to cheer. Jefferson erupted for a 20-point second quarter and dominated its way to a second straight win, thumping Marshalltown, 40-0, in a Class 5A prep football game Thursday night at Kingston Stadium.

“I’m just happy for these guys to be able to enjoy victory,” J-Hawks second-year head coach Ed Miles said. “They went out and played well. They had a lot of great spots.”

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Photos: Marshalltown at Cedar Rapids Jefferson football

The J-Hawks are 2-0 for the first time since 2000, according to Jefferson football historian, former assistant coach and KGYM radio analyst John Hegarty Jr.

“I think it’s great for the school and everybody, in general,” J-Hawk senior Tyler Huston said. “It also means we can go 3-0 next week. We’re going to enjoy this one until (Friday) and be right back at it for Des Moines North next week.”

The home stands were abuzz throughout the game with many students in florescent green, orange and pink garb. Jefferson fans were engaged and vocal from the students’ celebration with the victorious sophomore team (also 2-0) until the end of the varsity’s shutout. The players pick up on the support.

“They are there for us now,” running back Ishara Kalolero said. “They’re really there to support us. Last year, it wasn’t really like that. There were some students there but this year they see us winning, now.

“It seemed liked they were having fun. That was a fun game. It kept us going.”

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The game remained scoreless into the second quarter, but the J-Hawks took control in the second quarter. They received a boost from a defense that hasn’t allowed a point its last six quarters without a touchdown in the last seven.

Huston scored Jefferson’s first points, intercepting quarterback Xayvion Anderson and returning it 59 yards for a score. Huston recalled Marshalltown’s bootleg pass routes from the scouting report and was in the right place at the right time.

“I knew when the boot was coming; they only had two routes coming my way,” Huston said. “The defensive line had good pressure.

“I just turned around and saw the ball kind of wobble up in the air. I ran under it, reversed field, saw the quarterback coming, hit him with a stiff arm to the ground and had my D-line blocking for me the whole way. I had the whole defense running with me to the end zone.”

Jefferson won the field position battle most of the evening, starting three possessions in Marshalltown territory. Sherman Hopkins III capped a 43-yard drive with a 2-yard plunge for a 13-0 advantage with 3:08 left before the half.

Hopkins’ run was set up by a Kalolero 38-yard run. Kalolero, who rushed for 251 last week, punched in a 1-yard TD run in the fourth and amassed a game-high 100 yards on the ground.

“It was not really my best game,” said Kalolero, noting he was limited by a leg injury. “I have to take it easy, but I was having a good time out there today.”

The J-Hawks gambled but hit the jackpot before the break. Bradley Cable thwarted a late Bobcat possession, picking off Anderson for a touchback with 41 seconds left. On the next play, Peiffer stepped up in the pocket and hit wide receiver L.J. Nyenow for an 80-yard TD strike. Nyenow stepped out of one tackle and pulled away from the defense to make it 20-0 at halftime.

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“I wasn’t expecting to throw it to him,” Peiffer said. “Coach (Jermelle) Lewis told me to be a little conservative. If there’s nothing there, throw it away. Take off and run.

“The linemen did a great job. All five of them. They made a hole. I saw L.J. downfield. Touchdown J-Hawks.”

Miles said offensive coordinator Cedric Thomas declined to settle for a two-score lead to start the second half. Miles fully supported the decision and it showed the confidence coaches have in the players’ execution. The bet paid dividends.

“That was probably the turning moment of the game,” Miles said. “it gave us confidence to turn it on and that’s what we did in the second half. It was good to see.”

Jefferson tacked on three touchdowns in the second half, enacting a running clock. Peiffer hit Zack Robinson for a 30-yard scoring strike in the third and Anthony Snodey III scooped up a fumbled punt and rumbled 16 yards for the final score.

Peiffer finished with 168 passing and two scores. Nyenow led the J-Hawks with 101 yards on three receptions.

The J-Hawks produced scores from the offense, defense and special teams.

“It’s good when you get scores from all three phases of the game,” Miles said. “It is basically effort. Guys just being around the ball and instincts.”

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Jefferson posted its first shutout since beating Waterloo East, 50-0, Oct. 7, 2016. The J-Hawks held Marshalltown to just 102 total yards and 50 through the air.

On defense, I thought we played pretty damn good,” Miles said. “We just have to be careful with our silly penalties.”

Jefferson overcame 11 penalties for 115 yards. Miles said the team will strive for better play in Week 3. He added that the J-Hawks have not played their best, yet. Success with room to improve is an encouraging sign.

“It was a great team win,” Miles said. “It was a solid win but I’m still looking for us to play our best game. A much cleaner game. I don’t think we’ve come close to that. We have more opportunities next Friday against Des Moines North.”

Cedar Rapids Jefferson 40, Marshalltown 0

AT KINGSTON STADIUM

MAR CRJ

First Downs 11 15

Rushes-yards 33-52 32-187

Passing yards 50 168

Comp-att-int 10-23-2 7-15-1

Total yards 102 355

Fumbles-lost 3-2 0-0

Punts-avg. 5-33.2 1-32.0

Penalties-yards 6-50 11-115

Marshalltown 0 0 0 0 -- 0

C.R. Jefferson 0 20 6 14 -- 40

CRJ – Tyler Huston 59 interception return (Bertin Gisubizo kick)

CRJ – Sherman Hopkins III 2 run (kick failed)

CRJ – L.J. Nyenow 80 pass from Jeremiah Peiffer (Gisubizo kick)

CRJ – Zack Robinson 30 pass from Peiffer (kick blocked)

CRJ – Ishara Kalolero 1 run (Gisubizo kick)

CRJ – Anthony Snodey III 16 fumble return (Gisubizo kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Marshalltown: Treshaun Brooks 9-32, Jacob Hayes 4-23, Xayvion Anderson 7-18, Davis Ragland 6-10, Caleb Kusserow 2-6, Nicholas Wise 1-(-1), Jacob Gudith 1-(-1), Cory Smith 1-(-9), Team 2-(-26). C.R. Jefferson: Kalolero 17-100, Thierry Boyd 1-24, Robinson 3-22, Daunte Washington 7-18, Harald Batige 1-16, Jermaine Robinson 1-3, Snodey 1-2, Hopkins 1-2.

PASSING – Marshalltown: Hayes 3-6-0-38, Anderson 7-17-2-12. C.R. Jefferson: Peiffer 7-15-1-168.

RECEIVING – Marshalltown: Brooks 4-7, Declan Greene 2-12, Luis Monge 1-26, Aiden Smitherman 1-5, Cory Smith 1-1, Kusserow 1-(-1). C.R. Jefferson: L.J. Nyenow 3-101, Z. Robinson 2-45, Carter Bronson 2-22.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com