Iowa high school football rewind: Cedar Rapids Jefferson back in the win column with 33-24 victory over Muscatine

Early-morning whistles that probably surprised some neighbors.

A practice field that resembled a scene from “Remember the Titans” where car headlights illuminated a workout in the dark.

That’s what 4:30 a.m. roll call and starting before dawn to beat the heat gets you. It all reveals something about character, which Cedar Rapids Jefferson demonstrated all week long.

“If we would have had it last year we would have had about 20 to 30 percent of our team,” J-Hawks Coach Ed Miles said. “It shows the buy-in these guys have. Monday, we had 95 percent of our team and it kept growing throughout the week.”

The J-Hawks’ dedication from the offseason carried over into Week 1 and they reaped the rewards. Jefferson defeated host Muscatine, 33-24, Friday night in a prep football game, snapping a 26-game losing streak.

“We put in a lot of hard work over the years,” senior quarterback Jeremiah Peiffer said. “Just to get that win it makes you feel good. It’s a sigh of relief, but we have to keep going because we have Marshalltown next.”

Players drenched Miles on the sideline, celebrating the noteworthy win.

“They got me with some cold water,” Miles said. “If it would have been October I would have been ticked off.”

The J-Hawks claimed their first victory since beating Dubuque Senior, 24-10, in the regular-season finale on Oct. 25, 2019. It was their first road win since beating Waterloo West, 31-21, Sept. 19, 2019. Jefferson was coming off consecutive 0-9 seasons and went 0-8 in 2020.

The win highlights a shift in Miles’ second season as head coach.

“It meant that we’re changing our culture and program around,” said sophomore linebacker Kayden James, who had a team-high 12.5 tackles. “They say trust the process. We always talk about how it is a process and we have to keep working at it. Improve every single day.”

Peiffer and lineman Cade Chism are part of a senior group that has grabbed the reins. Seniors have held teammates accountable and helped them get to practice. They have gained the respect of their peers.

“We have great leadership from our seniors,” Miles said. “It’s more of a group effort with those guys.”

The game was a back-and-forth affair in the first half. Jefferson scored on its opening drive of the game, closing with the first of two Ishara Kalolero scoring runs. The teams exchanged scores, tying it at 14 apiece. Muscatine went on a 10-0 run before the J-Hawks closed the deficit at 24-21 at the break.

“I just told them to stay the course,” Miles said. “We were right in this thing. If we do our job and stay the course, we are going to win.”

The defense was a big part of that, holding Muscatine scoreless the last two quarters and without a TD the final three. Jefferson held the Muskies to 3 yards passing, allowing 285 total. Much in the first half.

“It starts with our preparation,” James said. “Justin knowing their formations and what they’re going to run. We already know where the ball is going to go before the play. We were ready for whatever they threw at us.”

Duante Washington scored on a 14-yard TD run to give the J-Hawks a 27-24 lead in the third and Jermaine Robinson reeled in a 22-yard scoring strike in the fourth.

“They worked their butts off all through the summer,” Miles said. “Day in and day out. These guys put forth this effort and it was nice for them to see and validate that this is what hard work does.

“I’m happy for our guys. I’m happy we ended that streak of three straight years with no wins. It’s nice to get that and we can continue to move on throughout the season.”

Kalolero rushed for 251 yards on 15 carries. L.J. Lyenow had 109 yards on nine receptions.

“We have a handful of playmakers,” Peiffer said.

Jefferson will attempt to continue the success into Week 2. The J-Hawks have a short week, hosting Marshalltown (0-1) Thursday at Kingston Stadium.

“We have a quick turnaround,” Miles said. “We have a couple guys nicked up and we’ve got to make sure to get those guys ready to go.”

“It’s going to force and challenge us to focus going into this week. The message is going to be bust your tails, stay focused and your reward from this is three days of rest.”

Big-game Grant Glausser

Western Dubuque’s Grant Glausser only needed one game to ascend near the top of the list of state yardage leaders. The Bobcat senior amassed 315 offensive yards in a 61-27 victory over West Delaware Friday night at Manchester.

Glausser rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. He added 109 receiving yards on two receptions. Both went for TDs, including a 74-yarder. Glausser accounted for almost half of quarterback Tanner Anderson’s 225 passing yards.

Glausser was fifth in all-purpose yards across all classes, according to Bound Saturday morning.

Linn-Mar ground and pound

Linn-Mar opened the season with a 64-7 throttling of Dubuque Senior Friday night at Dalzell Field. The Lions ran all over the Rams, amassing 372 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

They did it without a 100-yard rusher. Talan Sivertsen led the way with 96 yards on 15 rushes. Dylan Muszynski finished 10 for 85 and Tyree Alons added 82 on three carries, including a 53-yard score.

Quarterback Austin Waller scored three TDs and Muszynski had two.

Linn-Mar faces Cedar Rapids Washington (0-1) on Friday at Kingston Stadium.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com