For Chase Mahoney and Cedar Rapids Washington football, it’s full speed ahead

CEDAR RAPIDS — Chase Mahoney’s football motor has always revved high.

He even had a hard time controlling his intensity and enthusiasm when he first started playing organized football games.

“I would say I’ve had that ever since I was a young kid,” Mahoney said. “Even when I played flag football, I was one of the more aggressive kids on our team. I would tackle kids when we were playing flag football.”

The tenacious approach has served him well as Cedar Rapids Washington’s weak-side linebacker and one of the team’s defensive leaders. Mahoney returns as the Warriors’ top tackler and reigning Class 4A District 4 Defensive Player of the Year. Washington, ranked ninth in The Gazette’s preseason 4A poll, opens the season Friday against Cedar Rapids Jefferson at Kingston Stadium.

“I’d like to do a lot better than I did last year,” said Mahoney, who tallied 60.5 tackles including 42 solo. “I’ve been putting in the work for that. I wouldn‘t say I have any number goals but my goal is to go out there and play as hard as I can every day, every game.”

Mahoney’s brand of football is an attacking style that thrives on blitzes and pursuit. He is at his best when he can pin his ears back and track down the football.

“He’s a really good blitzer and makes a ton of plays doing that,” Washington Coach Maurice Blue said. “See ball, get ball. He can chase ball carriers down. He does a real good job of that. Once he goes, he goes.

“He’s tough. He can run and he’ll he hit you. He does a lot of things well.”

The goal is to wreak more havoc on the opponent’s side of the line of scrimmage. Mahoney owned real estate in backfields, recording 7.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss.

“Trust your instincts,” Mahoney said. “I’ve always been taught if you’re going to do something then do it. Don’t be afraid to mess up.”

Mahoney wasn’t on coaches’ radar until his freshman year. Blue credited assistant coach Frank Scherrman with recognizing Mahoney’s potential, attending the sophomore games before the varsity played.

“Frank hit the nail on the head,” Blue said. “He’s like, ‘He’s long but I think this kid is going to be good.’ So we moved him up as a sophomore. He started every game that year. He was up there in tackles for us as a sophomore.”

The focus has been on the intricacies of the position. Blue hasn’t had to teach Mahoney new stuff, but rather new ways to do what he has already done well. Enhance what comes natural to the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder.

Blue, who was a standout linebacker for Washington about 30 years ago, said he can teach some things but execution is the result of Mahoney’s knack to make plays. Blue said Mahoney has some traits in common with former Warrior linebackers O’Rien Vance and Connor Vincent.

“When it comes to linebacker, those dogs can hunt or they don’t,” said Blue, who sees some of himself in Mahoney’s skills and personality. “If you have to coach them too much, you’ve got the wrong guy in there.

“I might give myself a little credit telling him the best way to get there, but the ability to get there is all him. I haven’t had to tell him a whole lot.”

Mahoney was third on the team with 44.5 total tackles and 31 solo stops. He was fourth with 3.5 tackles for loss in his first varsity season. Mahoney began to reap the rewards of his hard work and applied himself even more, lifting, breaking down video and learning as much as possible.

“I got a lot faster,” Mahoney said. “You could see that just by watching me play. I quit second-guessing myself sometimes, too. I feel I went all-out last year, too. I don’t feel like I hesitated at all, trying to go make a tackle or play.

“I just got a lot quicker and the game slowed down for me. I started watching more film and studying more plays.”

A similar jump is possible for Mahoney. He added 10 pounds in the offseason, became stronger and is working on his speed. Mahoney has dedicated time to the mental side, studying the game much more.

“We got the Jefferson film,” Mahoney said. “It was only 40 plays but I’ve probably watched those 40 plays five different times in the last three days.”

Rule out the surprise factor this season. Offenses know what is coming and will have to find a way to stop it. Blue doesn’t shy away from admitting Mahoney will be on the attack again this season.

“I think he’s going to have a better year this year,” Blue said. “I don’t think he’s going to sneak up on anybody. People will be looking for him. We will bring him quite a bit.”

Mahoney is one of nine returning starters and 13 letterwinners back from a 5-5 playoff qualifier that was 3-2 in the district. All-stater Watts McBride joins Mahoney as top defenders.

The linebacker and secondary units will lead the way, including linebackers Preston Johnson and Caiden Stock and defensive backs Miles Thompson, Michael Blank and Jaden Harris. Leighton Charters returns with experience as a safety and receiver.

“I like where we’re at,” Blue said. “I like what we have coming back defensively.”

Blue also said skill players are a strength on offense. Thompson, Blank and Harris provide good targets at receiver, while Mahoney will get time at tight end. McBride and Alex Taylor will platoon at tailback.

One question mark is at quarterback behind an inexperienced offensive line. Plans are to use both junior Stephen Cain and sophomore Malik Epps-Keller. They have different strengths and will rotate under center.

“Both kids are playing well,” Blue said. “They each bring good stuff to the table. Each does something a little better than the other. They have things they can use.”

Mahoney and the Warriors will be full speed ahead for the opener against the J-Hawks.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com