This is a big one

CEDAR RAPIDS - Brian White admits this is a big one. As a guy who experienced the rivalry from both sides, he's qualified to give that opinion.

The Cedar Rapids Kennedy head football coach was defensive coordinator at Cedar Rapids Washington before moving to the northeast side. The Cougars and Warriors play Friday night at Kingston Stadium as 1-0 ranked teams: Kennedy is 10th in Class 4A and Washington third.

Yeah, a big one, for sure.

'I remember playing in 2007 when both teams were undefeated, I think,” White said. 'I'd say this is probably the biggest game since then.”

The teams actually played a pair of beauties in 2007, with Washington winning both, 29-27 in the regular season and 34-28 in the first round of the playoffs. That latter game featured backup quarterback Derek Giesking throwing for a school-record 487 yards for Wash.

The schools have traded victories the past five years, with Washington coming out on top last year, 41-7, en route to making it to the 4A state championship game.

'They've been there,” White said. 'They've been to the big game.”

Washington scored twice in the fourth quarter last Saturday in a weather-delayed game to overcome Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 27-14. Kennedy built a 17-point lead and held on to beat Iowa City West last Thursday, 34-31.

Neither White or Washington Coach Paul James believe the extra day and a half of rest and preparation is that large of an advantage for Kennedy.

'No advantage there whatsoever,” White said.

This is a game with some intriguing matchups.

There is Kennedy's exceptional and experienced offensive line versus Washington's new 3-4 defense. Running back Tyler Dralle was unstoppable against West, with 265 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

'It was pretty interesting how explosive both teams were in that game,” Washington's Tavian Patrick said. 'I think it's going to be a challenge, but we're up for challenges.”

Then there is Washington's potential big-play offense against a Kennedy defense that allowed a number of big plays against West. Backs Johnny Dobbs and Patrick combined for three TDs against Jefferson, with fullback Tavion Stewart adding a tiebreaking 75-yard scoring run in the fourth.

'You saw how we had four touchdowns, two from Johnny,” Patrick said. 'You can see that we can score the ball everywhere. It's different players. It doesn't have to be one person. We are very diverse.”

'Wash has earned respect for sure, and deserves it,” said Kennedy lineman Dalles Jacobus. 'They have plenty of kids that are potential playmakers and deserve respect. All we need to do to win is just play our game. Stick to the game plan and stay disciplined.”

Washington knows it is a marked team this season, knows it's going to get every opponent's best shot. It also knows a lot of people have placed a lot of expecations upon it.

'We've talked about it. I think you've got to experience it a little bit before you thoroughly appreciated it,” James said. 'We worry about our own expectations. Whatever our team and player's expectations are, that's what we're concerned about. Not what other people think.”

'We've had a fantastic week of practice,” White said. 'Our kids are focused, motivated to play well. Our job is not to go out and try to kick anyone around. It's just to play a good solid football game and give ourselves a chance to win.”

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