Cedar Rapids Jefferson Coach Ed Miles continues to set foundation in program rebuild

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Jefferson Coach Ed Miles remains optimistic.

He has witnessed positive steps behind the scenes and younger levels. Progress that hasn’t resulted in varsity victories, yet. Though the freshman team earned one Thursday.

“The future looks good for the young guys and guys coming up, especially the ones in middle school,” the first-year J-Hawks head coach said. “There are things that are happening that aren’t being seen in the public eye. I want to tell people don’t sleep on Jefferson. The future of Jefferson football will be in a good spot.”

The J-Hawks are battling through the growing pains that included a 48-0 loss to Marshalltown in a Class 5A high school football game Thursday night at Kingston Stadium.

Marshalltown won its third straight, improving to 4-4. Jefferson (0-7) is still looking for its first win in three years.

“It’s the small things,” Miles said. “We’re trying to building something.

“For us, as a team and program, nobody likes to see a score and get a running clock or anything like that. Yes, we are a very young team, but we’re just missing those opportunities when they’re there to be made.”

The Bobcats gained control early and didn’t look back, scoring on their first five possessions and six times for a 41-0 halftime lead.

Dalen Huston helped power Marshalltown. The junior quarterback accounted for four touchdowns with two passing and two rushing.

Huston’s second effort led to a 2-yard TD run, capping the game’s opening drive for a 7-0 lead. He also closed the scoring with a 6-yard TD run in the third.

After Huston’s first scoring run, Marshalltown was efficient with big plays. A blocked punt led to a 4-yard Allah Holmes TD run on the next play for a 14-0 advantage.

The next two Bobcats possessions were two-play scoring drives. The first ended in a 53-yard TD pass from Huston to Treshaun Brooks, who secured a juggling grab before running away from a defender. The second was a 6-yard TD run by Holmes that was set up by his 76-yard jaunt. The pair connected on a 12-yard score with 4:32 left before half.

Tate Riang had a 48-yard TD run for the Bobcats, who rushed for 266 yards before the break.

“We’re making things easier for teams,” Miles said. “I call them ‘one-hitter quitters.’ Big plays.”

Holmes finished with 178 rushing yards. Huston rushed for 78 and passed for 88, including 65 to Brooks.

Jeremiah Peiffer passed for 70 yards and Tyler Huston had four receptions for 36 yards to lead Jefferson (0-8).

Jefferson lost its 25th straight game. The J-Hawks’ last victory came Oct. 25, 2019, beating Dubuque Senior, 24-10. They close the season at home against fourth-ranked Southeast Polk next week.

“Hopefully, these are learning moments,” Miles said. “We can learn from these things, but it’s got to take a commitment from everyone, starting with me. The things I lay forth all the way to the volunteers. Everyone has to do their job. That’s what we’re preaching. We’ll continue to work on that.

“We’ll watch film. The best thing is critiquing yourself and being honest with yourself, whether you’re giving 100-percent effort, are you mentally tough during the game and physically tough in these situations or spots. Those are the three things we pride ourselves on and obviously it’s been a struggle to get all three within a game.”