Dominant win just what the doctor ordered for Jefferson

DAVENPORT — DAVENPORT – A doctor could not have prescribed anything better for Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

The J-Hawks vital signs received a boost with the matchup and result they needed.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson throttled Davenport North, 42-7, claiming its first win of the season, in a non-district prep football game Friday night at Brady Street Stadium. The victory matches the H-Hawks' win total each of the last two seasons.

'It was what we needed,' Jefferson Coach Brian Webb said. 'There are things we have to work on, especially in the second half we have to get better on. Great total team effort. Everybody got a lot of playing time. Everybody got a piece of the victory.'

The J-Hawks celebrated on the field and then ran to the stands to sing the school's fight song with fans.

'It feels a lot better than the last two weeks,' Jefferson senior Kelly May said. 'It's a tradition. It feels good to be able to celebrate with the people who came out to support us.'

Jefferson was rarely challenged, scoring touchdowns on its first six possessions of the game. The only drive that didn't end in touchdown was when the J-Hawks ran out the clock in the final minute of the first half, leading 42-0.

The performance was almost expected. The J-Hawks tried to exploit an advantage over North. Webb said the offense was crisp and demonstrated its big-play ability.

'We knew if we could get our playmakers the ball we could score a lot of points,' Webb said. 'Speed was a big factor.'

The running game set the tone, highlighting the first two scoring drives. Tavian Rashed scored the first of two touchdowns with a 4-yard run up the middle, putting Jefferson up, 7-0, less than four minutes into the game.

Rashed added a 14-yard TD in the second, slipping away from a tackle and squirting through the defense to reach the end zone. He finished with 100 rushing yards without playing all but one play in the second half.

Webb did not know Jefferson's last 100-yard rusher.

'He is just a difference maker,' Webb said. 'His speed is incredible and so is his determination. … That is his nature, his instinct.'

Bryce Lund's 40 scamper to the 1-yard line set up Jesse Furrow's quarterback sneak for a score. Mason Furnish added a 14-yard TD run to make it 35-0 less than midway through the second.

Furrow and Manny Olutunde helped Jefferson pull away, connecting on two screen passes for touchdowns of 50 and 87 yards. Olutunde made three separate cuts and then bolted down the center of the field for the last score of the first half.

Despite making some shifty moves, Olutunde praised his teammates for paving a way to the end zone.

'I knew I had to make a big play for my team,' Olutunde said. 'The only reason why I scored was everybody was blocking.'

Olutunde finished with 146 receiving yards, accounting for all but one yard Furrow's passing total.

The J-Hawk defense was stout as well. They allowed only 89 total yards. They gave up eight first downs, including five after halftime and three due to penalty.

Jefferson will look to repeat the feat next week. They travel to Brady Street Stadium to face Davenport West on Thursday.

'You just have to get better,' Webb said. 'Everybody's got to get better and have that mindset every single day in practice, weights and school.'

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