Iowa City High overpowers Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 68-0

IOWA CITY — For the first time in years, the Little Hawks are rolling. But how much have they learned about themselves heading into Week 3?

On the heels of a dominant 41-0 win over Iowa City Liberty, Iowa City High took care of a depleted Cedar Rapids Jefferson squad, 68-0, Friday night at Bates Field in Iowa City.

“The story of this team right now is just the energy, and the passion, and the excitement we’re playing the game of football with,” first-year City High Coach Mitch Moore said. “That’s the brand of football we want to play.”

On the other side of the field, Jefferson suited up less than 30 players.

Reeling from a 79-0 defeat at the hands of Cedar Rapids Washington, the J-Hawks looked to come out with some fight.

Drew Larson hooked up with Gable Mitchell for a 41-yard gain on a short pass, but the J-Hawks limited the City High rushing attack to minimal gains. Slowly making their way down to the Jefferson 12, Ronnie Major had the ball pop loose on a solid hit.

But Ben Kueter picked up the bouncing ball and jaunted into the end zone for a City High touchdown.

Things snowballed from there.

Jefferson’s first possession went backwards. Then a third-and-long pick-6 saw City High’s Joey Bouska cross the goal-line from 16 yards out. A few minutes later, Mitchell fielded a punt at his own 32, cut to the right sideline and followed his blockers in for a 68-yard score and a quick 21-0 lead with 5:39 to play in the opening quarter.

“I got a couple of good blocks,” Mitchell said. “I got around the corner and I was off. I got tripped up a little bit but just dove backwards into the end zone.”

A J-Hawks punt gave City High a short field at the Jefferson 35. Larson led Sam Rew perfectly for a deep touchdown pass on the next play. Adding one more score, the Little Hawks put the continuous clock in motion with 1:24 to play in the first quarter.

City High tacked on over the final 36 minutes. Nine Little Hawks carried the ball, none with more than 58 yards rushing. Starting quarterback, Larson threw three passes, completing all of them for 154 yards and two scores.

A rivalry game at Ames during Cy-Hawk week will keep the blood boiling.

“We’re very confident,” Mitchell said. “We have a lot going for us. Ames is going to give us a little bit of a challenge but I’m very confident that we can go in there and take care of business.”

Iowa City High 68, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 0

Cedar Rapids Jefferson 0 0 0 0 - 0

Iowa City High 35 12 14 7 - 68

ICH – Ben Kueter 12 fumble recovery (Kongalo Mwenemkamba kick).

ICH – Joey Bouska 16 Int return (Mwenemkamba kick).

ICH – Gable 68 punt return (Mwenemkamba kick).

ICH – Ronnie Major 9 run (Mwenemkamba kick).

ICH – Sam Rew 35 pass from Drew Larson (Mwenemkamba kick).

ICH – Darren Richardson 12 run (kick failed).

ICH – Richardson 17 run (kick failed).

ICH – Rew 10 run (Ben Brown kick).

ICH – Will Larson 78 pass from Drew Larson (Brown kick).

ICH – Jake Mitchell 35 run (Brown kick).

CRJ, ICH

First Downs: 2, 14

Rushes-Yards: 32-59, 26-249

Comp-Att-Int: 0-4-1, 4-4-150-0

Pass Yards: 0, 150

Total Yards: 59, 399

Penalties-Yards: 5-25, 3-25

Fumbles-Lost: 7-2, 3-25

Punts-Avg: 7-28.6, 0-0

Rushing – Cedar Rapids Jefferson: Frank Budederi 11-15, Kay’Zure Lewis 19-56, Jeremiah Peiffer 1-minus-8, Johnnie Robinson 1-minus-4. City High: Joey Bouska 4-14, Gable Mitchell 1-8, Ronnie Major 2-9, Jamari Newson 1-47, Darren Richardson 6-58, Will Larson 1-8, Sam Rew 3-28, Bryce Roos 6-32, Jake Mitchell 2-43.

Passing - Cedar Rapids Jefferson: Peiffer 0-3-1-0, Lewis 0-1-0-0. City High: Drew Larson 3-3-154-0, Quinton Tran 1-1-minus-4-0.

Receiving - Cedar Rapids Jefferson: NA. City High – Mitchell 1-41, Rew 1-35, Major 1-minus-4, Will Larson 1-78.