Emphasis on togetherness fuels Kennedy’s high expectations

CEDAR RAPIDS — A small block of wood has become the cornerstone of the Cedar Rapids Kennedy football team.

This season will be built on the message written on it.

The Cougars are unified this season, adopting a 'family' attitude in an attempt to return to the postseason and advance beyond the playoffs' second round. Kennedy hosts Iowa City West Aug. 27 at Kingston Stadium to kick off the season.

'We're all brothers out here on the football field,' Kennedy tight end Shaun Beyer said. 'We need to have each other's backs and trust the person beside you. If you can't trust the person beside you then you're probably not going to be very good.'

Kennedy Coach Brian White and his staff traveled to Manhattan, Kan., visiting the Kansas State program. The Wildcats are coached by former University of Iowa assistant Bill Snyder and the Wildcats' co-offensive coordinator Del Miller is from Marengo.

The method for the team to bond stuck out as much as X's and O's. White noticed the four-by-four block with numerous traits of a successful family that the Wildcats tote to every team event. He decided to bring that to the Cougars.

'They commit to these 16 points,' White said. 'We kind of liked that, so we thought let's incorporate that with our team. They have bought into it.

'When you have 64 kids to buy into one common goal that is huge.'

The Cougars have embraced the tenets listed on the wood, including never giving up, expect to win, leadership, consistency, commitment, responsibility, unselfishness, effort, toughness and self-discipline. They have become a tight-knit group, seeing the block at practice, team meetings and team dinners.

'It has worked in well,' senior Mason Jacobs said. 'We have all become closer.'

It is more than a buzz term or gimmick. Running back Tyler Dralle said the intangible could make the difference in the amount of success this season.

'I think that is the X-factor for us,' Dralle said. 'We have the skill and talent, but that is the one thing that can take us to the next level.'

Kennedy has 17 players back who started at least five games on offense or defense. Beyer and Dralle are among the returning starters on offense, giving the Cougars a strong 1-2 punch on the ground and through the air.

Beyer, a commit to North Dakota State, had a breakout season as a junior. He burned opposing offenses for 471 yards and eight touchdowns, adding 116 rushing yards.

White said defenses could see Beyer at tight end, split out, tailback or even at quarterback. Beyer will be a focus of the offense.

'We're going to put a ball in his hands,' White said. 'We're going to move him around. We're going to make him harder to defend.'

The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder welcomes the large role. He realizes any plays rely on the team coming together with a contribution from all.

'I'm excited for the season,' Beyer said. 'I'm not going to be able to do anything without the other 10 guys on the field. I think it's going to be a great season.'

Dralle bowled his way for 915 yards and eight touchdowns last fall, taking over a feature role a couple games in after an injury to a teammate. He was durable, wearing down defenses. He carried 43 times in a first-round playoff win over Muscatine last season.

'He's a rugged kid,' White said. 'He's a kid we can lean on.'

According to White, Dralle has his sights set on breaking the school's single-season rushing record of 1,662 yards set by Alex Hillyer in 2012. He prefers running over tacklers to running around them.

'I love contact,' Dralle said. 'I know the guys in front of me are working hard. I feel like I have to work harder than them. I love being out there and running as hard as I can, trying to win games.'

The offensive line might just be the strength of this year's squad. The Cougars have four starters back, including Dalles Jacobus and junior Jackson Coker. Jackson Behn has moved in from the Omaha, Neb., area, giving them a much needed big body at tackle.

White said it's the best line he has coached in more than a decade.

'We have five guys out there working (but) we actually have about seven guys who deserve a starting spot,' Jacobus said. 'The biggest thing is the team is so close. We know who we are blocking for.

'We have a purpose behind our blocks. We have a little more drive.'

The senior class has always had success, according to White. The Cougars won a divisional title as sophomores and are meshing well with the junior class. They have high expectations for their family.

'I think the sky is the limit,' Jacobus said. 'We can do what we want to do. All it is going to be is what we stick our mind to and if we stick to family and the hard work that've we've put in all summer and continue to put in so far.'

CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY, at a glance

Coach: Brian White (2nd year, 3-8)

Last year: 3-8 overall, 2-3 Class 4A District 5 (tie-3rd), 4A playoffs qualifier (beat Muscatine, lost to Bettendorf, 31-7, in second round)

Returning letterwinners: Shaun Beyer, sr; Tyler Dralle, sr; Dalles Jacobus, sr; Mason Jacobs, sr.; Jackson Coker, jr.; Lucas Berry, sr.; Matt Gardner, sr.; Austin Coastes, sr.; Carter Krall, jr.; Garrett Kubovec, jr.; Austin Kerska, sr.; Elijah Feuerhelm, sr.; Todd Gusta, sr.; Nolan Hromidko, sr.; Chris Krystofiak, sr.; Dillon Koch, sr.; Tyler Jacobs, sr.; Brandon Niemeier, sr.; Parker Lloyd, sr.; Matt Lewis, sr.; Austin Bailey, sr.; Tyler Kadolph, sr.; Trevor Wieland, sr.

Key losses: Sammy Lizarraga, Terrance Hall, Jay Blank, Logan Wedo, Parker Steffen, Mark Schulz

Key to making the playoffs: Kennedy has a lot of experience and talent. The playoffs are a more than reasonable target, but how much success the Cougars have may depend on who takes over as the starting QB.

Games to watch: Aug. 27, Iowa City West (home); Sept. 4, at Cedar Rapids Washington; Oct. 16, Cedar Falls (home); Oct. 23, at Waterloo West

Schedule (*district games):

Aug. 27 — Iowa City West

Sept. 4 — at Cedar Rapids Washington

Sept. 11 — North Scott

Sept. 18 — at Pleasant Valley

Sept. 25 — *Cedar Rapids Jefferson

Oct. 2 — *at Linn-Mar

Oct. 9 — *Waterloo, East

Oct. 16 — *Cedar Falls

Oct. 23 — *at Waterloo West

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