Kyler Bell sets Cedar Rapids Jefferson season receiving records in win over Mason City

CEDAR RAPIDS - Some records are meant to be broken.

And some records are meant to be restored just to have them broken again.

The single season receiving yardage record for Cedar Rapids Jefferson definitely falls into the latter category. J-Hawk senior Kyler Bell experienced this record-setting ride Friday night in a 34-7 triumph over Mason City.

'I had a lot of pressure on myself,” Bell said. 'All of my friends were nagging at me all week, asking if I was going to get it.”

On his second reception of the game, Bell tied the record with a 10-yard catch. Early in the third quarter, he lost a combined 5 yards on a pair of receptions. On the next Jefferson (4-5, 3-2) possession, Bell hauled in a 14-yard grab to take sole possession of the record. That reception - Bell's 36th of the season - also broke the single season record for receptions set in 1966.

'The coaches wouldn't tell me anything,” Bell said. 'I was asking them if I got it and they wouldn't tell me. They just said to keep playing hard.”

Sophomore Ezeki Leggins had a breakout game for the J-Hawks, scoring three touchdowns and racking up 105 yards on seven carries.

'He does things that you just can't coach,” J-Hawks head coach Brian Webb said. 'With three sophomores starting tonight, the future looks good for J-Hawk football.”

A couple of blown coverages allowed the Mohawks to score first. Danny Kamm drilled a 25-yard pass to Azik Barragan to put Mason City (3-6, 2-3) ahead 7-0 just four minutes into the game.

The J-Hawks responded quickly. A pair of fourth-down conversions and big rushing plays off the right side set Jefferson up at the Mason City 2-yard line. Leggins found the end zone to knot the game at 7-7.

Leggins busted free on a 65-yard touchdown run to seal the Jefferson win in the third quarter.