Cougars all lined up for title shot

CEDAR RAPIDS — The nerve of these kids.

Coming off a 3-8 season, the Kennedy Cougars compiled, then shared, their goals before practice began this fall. All were team-related. And many seemed unrealistic, at least to the outsider.

'Nobody set personal goals,' said Dallas Jacobus, anchor to the Cougars' line and emotional leader. 'Guys wanted to win a district championship. They wanted to win a state championship.'

A state championship?

Suddenly, the far-fetched is one game — one big upset — from reality.

Third-ranked Kennedy (13-0) meets No. 1 West Des Moines Dowling (12-0) for the Class 4A title at 7:06 Monday night at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Maroons carry a 22-game winning streak and a 39-1 run the last three seasons.

Dowling dashed the dreams of Cedar Rapids Xavier in the 4A title game two years ago and Cedar Rapids Washington last season.

'I think the difference is that we like to keep the clock running,' said Cougars Coach Brian White. 'First downs are a victory. If we can do that, keep the clock running and move the chains, then we have a chance. Just give us an opportunity in the fourth quarter.'

Kennedy has a do-it-all athlete in Shaun Beyer and a 2,000-yard rusher in Tyler Dralle. But this team's identity lies in the trenches. Guys like Jacobus and Mason Jacobs at guard, Jackson Coker and Patrick Manchester at tackle, and Austin Kerska at center on offense. Sam Pape and Elijah Feuerhelm accompany Jacobus on the other side of the ball.

'We definitely have the best line in the state,' Dralle said. 'I wouldn't have near the stats I have without those guys.'

Kennedy's front will be at a slight disadvantage, about 10 pounds per man.

'We're not overly huge,' Jacobus said. 'But we don't really look at heights and weights anyway. They're just numbers, right? It usually comes down to who wants it more, and we want it pretty bad.'

Kerska said, 'We'll definitely be at a size disadvantage. But we've been smaller than some other teams, and we found ways to have success against them.'

Dowling leads the state in scoring offense (42.7 points per game). Kennedy's defense average of 9.5 points per game is No. 1.

Jacobs is a three-year starter; Jacobus, Kerska and Coker are in their second tour of duty.

'We were 3-8 last year, but we weren't a 3-8 team,' Jacobus said. 'We were snakebit. We made a lot of mistakes.'

The Cougars opened the season with a 34-31 win over Iowa City West, then knocked off Cedar Rapids Washington, 28-24, in Week 2, and it was clear from that point on that a special season was brewing.

'It's been a great season,' Kerska said. 'But we haven't played our best game yet. If we play to our ability (Monday), I know we can win.'

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com