Hanna to Edmonds powers Hawks past Jefferson

CEDAR RAPIDS - Jace Hanna and Jarred Edmonds have a strong connection.Long history of playing together and a lot of offseason repetitions paid dividends for the duo in Cedar Rapids Prairie's prep football opener.Hanna connected with Edmonds for three touchdowns, powering the Hawks to a 28-7 win over Westside rival Cedar Rapids Jefferson in a Mississippi Valley Conference contest Friday night at John Wall Field.Edmonds reeled in five passes for 165 yards from Hanna, who threw for 189 yards total. The pair spend a lot of time together, and are often on the same page during a game."We have chemistry," Hanna said. "I know where he's going to be and I have faith in him to catch it."They highlighted a quick-hitting offense that scored on their first possession of both halves. On their third play from scrimmage, Demetrius Harper took the ball around the left end, weaved through defenders along the sideline and scampered 74 yards for the score. The run put Prairie up, 7-0, less than three minutes into the game.Hanna and Edmonds took over, accounting for the Hawks final three scores. Hanna hit Edmonds on a skinny post pattern on 4th-and-23 for a 23-yard TD, giving the Hawks a 14-0 lead in the second quarter."We've been playing with each other many many years," Edmonds said. "We know what each other are capable of."Edmonds dropped the first pass to him. He wasn't sure a good night was ahead, but it turned out well."Once I got that first catch, I was ready," Edmonds said about a 23-yard reception. "I wanted it over and over again."The pair teamed up again on Prairie's final possession of the first half. getting the ball on their own 37 with 1:50 left, Hanna connected with Edmonds for a 54-yard pass to the Jefferson 4. Edmonds tried to dive for the end zone, but lost his balance and stepped out before reaching the pylon. Three plays later, Edmonds made a diving grab at the back of the end zone from three yards out. Prairie led 21-0 at halftime."I thought I was in definitely," Edmonds said about tip-toeing the sideline. "I was shocked. I tried my best to keep my balance."The Hawks received a 62-yard strike, where Edmonds broke wide open down the right side of the field for a 28-0 lead with 10:47 to go in the third."We knew they were biting on Harper on those sweeps and bubble (screens)," Hanna said. "If we did that, Jarred would be open."The Hawks were grounded after that big play. The energy level dipped after the big lead. The enthusiasm and discipline need improving for the Hawks, who had 11 penalties for 85 yards."We let our guard down in the second half and started to beat ourselves," Prairie Coach Mike Morrissey said. "No team in our conference is good enough to win games week in and week out when you're beating yourself with penalties."Jefferson battled and first-year J-Hawks Coach Brian Webb was pleased with the effort in the second half. Layne Sullivan scored a two-yard TD, pulling with in 28-7 in the third and playing the Hawks to a 7-7 second half."It was a completely different Jefferson team than we've seen in the past," Webb said. "Our kids fought to the very end."The J-Hawks managed 96 rushing yards. Creighton Robinson led the way with 44 on 11 carries. Nick O'Connell added 38. Hunter Kloubec had 29 yards of total offense and an interception that thwarted a Prairie drive in the first half.Webb said the team could build on the second-half performance as the J-Hawks look to end what is now a 23-game losing streak. Webb said he thought the final score was misleading to how competitve his team was with Prairie."There are lots of positives we take away from this game," said Webb, noting the team overcame injury forcing them to play Drake Allen at running back, despite not taking a snap in that position this year. "Kids step up and want to be successful. I'd rather go into a game with these kids that want to fight to the very end than kids that don't. Everybody stepped up and did the best they can and we just have to get better."

CR Prairie 28, CR Jeff. 7

AT JOHN WALL FIELD

TEAM STATISTICS

CR Jeff.

CR Prairie

First downs

11

11

Rushes-yards

39 - 96

31 - 213

Passing yards

70

189

Comp-Att-Int

6 - 17 - 0

9 - 20 - 2

Total yards

166

402

Fumbles-lost

5 - 3

0 - 0

Punts-average

4 - 43.0

2 - 24.0

Penalties-yards

5 - 29

11 - 85

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing:

CR Jeff. –Creighton Robinson 11-44 ,Nick O'Connell 10-38 ,Hunter Kloubec 3-12 ,Layne Sullivan 12-7 ,Tim Larson 1-5 ,Team 2-0

CR Prairie –Demetrius Harper 7-96 ,Jace Hanna 5-50 ,Tristan Beyer 8-23 ,Jomaryon Simpson 3-21 ,Mitch Dellamuth 2-14 ,Trey Beckman 2-5 ,Trevor Northrup 4-4

Passing:

CR Jeff. –Sullivan 6-17-0-70

CR Prairie –Hanna 9-20-2-189

Receiving:

CR Jeff. –Blake Bernauer 1-36 ,Kloubec 2-17 ,Peter Watson 1-13 ,Robinson 2-4

CR Prairie –Edmonds 5-165 ,Harper 3-17 ,Dellamuth 1-7

SCORE BY QUARTERS

CR Jeff.

7

–

7

CR Prairie

7

14

7

–

28

SCORING SUMMARYCRP - Harper 74 run (Sam Drysdale kick)CRP - Edmonds 23 pass from Hanna (Drysdale kick)CRP - Edmonds 3 pass from Hanna (Drysdale kick)CRP - Edmonds 62 pass from Hanna (Drysdale kick)CRJ - Sullivan 2 run (Reece Suckow kick)