Cedar Rapids Washington’s speed, big plays translate to a 21-13 win over Jefferson

CEDAR RAPIDS — The decisive edge came on the edge.

Explosive if not consistent offensively, Cedar Rapids Washington made enough big plays and toppled previously unbeaten Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 21-13, in an intracity football battle Friday night at Kingston Stadium.

Brock Davis turned a short pass into a long touchdown, then followed it up with an interception deep in Washington territory as the J-Hawks tried to drive for the tying touchdown.

Then Landyn Mitvalsky sewed it up with another pick. As a result, the Warriors (1-4) are on the board with their first victory.

“We didn’t have a great week of practice, but our walk-through Thursday was great, and we played our butts off tonight,” Davis said.

Recommended Reading

Photos: Cedar Rapids Washington vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson football

Jefferson (4-1) was the talk of the town for the first month of the season, but penalties (nine, for 95 yards) and turnovers (three) did the J-Hawks in.

Washington’s speed played a role, too.

  Buy Photo

Moments after Jefferson climbed within 14-7 in the third quarter, Davis took a swing pass from Grady McGuire, evaded a tackle, then cut back and outran everybody for a 65-yard touchdown.

“I was just expecting a couple of yards, not anything big, that’s for sure,” Davis said.

The second of Ishara Kalolero’s two touchdowns — a 56-yard pass from Jeremiah Peiffer — made it 21-13 with 8:32 to go. The J-Hawks drove to the Washington 33 on their next drive, then Davis made a break for the ball and picked it off.

“I saw it in the air and thought, ‘I got this,’” Davis said. “I was able to come down with it.”

Jefferson got it back with 3:03 left and marched to the Washington 34 before Mitvalsky’s INT put a bow on it.

“We finally got that first one,” Mitvalsky said. “Now it’s on to next week.”

The J-Hawks averaged 42.5 points per game in their first four contests, but Washington kept them out of the end zone through the first half.

A 56-yard scoring scramble by McGuire and a 25-yard pass from McGuire to J’Quari Willis staked the Warriors to a 14-0 halftime lead.

After the Warriors killed the clock, they rushed to reclaim the trophy they have earned for four straight years.

The previous three were by scores of 55-0, 79-0 and 47-0. This one, this was work.

“Our defense did some good things,” Washington Coach Maurice Blue said. “We had some issues at times. We were able to make (Jefferson quarterback Jeremiah Peiffer) uncomfortable at times, and we made enough plays to win.”

Jefferson hosts Iowa City West next Thursday; Washington visits Iowa City Liberty next Friday.

Cedar Rapids Washington 21, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 13

At Kingston Stadium

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs: Jeff 12, Wash 10

Rushes-yards: Jeff 27-96, Wash 34-71

Passing yards: Jeff 131, Wash 113

Passing: Jeff 13-35-2, Wash 8-19-0

Total yards: Jeff 227, Wash 184

Fumbles-lost: Jeff 1-1, Wash 0-0

Punts-average: Jeff 6-29.8, Wash 6-25.7

Penalties-yards: Jeff 9-95, Wash 4-61

SCORING SUMMARY

C.R. Jefferson 0 0 7 6 — 13

C.R. Washington 7 7 7 0 — 21

CRW — Grady McGuire 56 run (Logan Barton kick)

CRW — J’Quari Willis 25 pass from McGuire (Barton kick)

CRJ — Ishara Kalolero 13 run (Bertin Gisubizo kick)

CRW — Brock Davis 65 pass from McGuire (Barton kick)

CRJ — Kalolero 56 pass from Jeremiah Peiffer (kick failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Jefferson — Ishara Kalolero 21-74, Jeremiah Peiffer 4-22, Zack Robinson 1-2, Daunte Washington 1-(minus 2). Washington — Nicholas Riley 15-49, Grady McGuire 6-31, David Fason 1-2, Mason Bahls 10-(minus 7), Team 2-(minus 4).

Passing

Jefferson — Peiffer 12-33-2-128, Vernon Benda 1-1-0-3, Thierry Boyd 0-1-0-0. Washington — McGuire 8-19-0-113.

Receiving

Jefferson — Kalolero 5-81, Thierry 3-14, L.J. Nyenow Jr. 2-17, Dayten Guy 1-9, Carter Bronson 1-8, Jermaine Robinson 1-3. Washington — Landyn Mitvalsy 3-13, Davis 2-71, J’Quari Willis 2-27, Montarious Beard 1-3.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com