Jefferson desperately seeking success

CEDAR RAPIDS - It has been almost three long years.Cedar Rapids Jefferson has endured a stretch of futility that has grounded the J-Hawks football program. The last time the J-Hawks won a game was the same week "Glee" debuted on FOX, University of Iowa's Adrian Clayborn blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the Hawkeyes' come-from-behind win at Penn State and the juniors on this year's team hadn't started high school yet.New head coach Brian Webb will attempt to turn things around at Jefferson as the 2012 season will start on the long road back to respectability. The J-Hawks open with a 22-game losing streak, dropping 28 of their last 29 games dating back to Oct. 2008.Webb takes over after two seasons as head coach at Carroll Kuemper, posting an 18-4 overall record including a 10-2 mark in 2012. He is fully aware there is a desire to experience the joy of victory, but it depends on the players' dedication to earn the program's first win since beating Dubuque Senior, 20-13, Sept. 25, 2009."They're extremely hungry, but as I told the kids, I can't want it more than they do," Webb said. "Ultimately, the kids have to make the decision."The start of a new era has brought about optimism among some J-Hawks. They are focused on getting things going in the right direction."People are excited. Everyone's intensity is way higher," Jefferson senior Peter Watson said. "We want it. We're going to go get it."Other Jefferson boys' programs have had success during the same time period. The J-Hawks basketball team has qualified for two straight state tournaments. During the 1-29 stretch, the wrestling team has had four state medalists and two state finalists, including 2011 215-pound state champion Conner Herman. Jefferson's baseball team owned a .500 record in Mississippi Valley Conference play, coming with one win of the state tournament in 2010 and 2010 and claiming the 2009 Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball Tournament title.The J-Hawks, whose 2011 sophomore team was 2-7, haven't posted a .500 mark since a 27-19 win over Linn-Mar, improving to 4-4, after week 8 of 2008, which is the last year they reached the postseason.The tenets of Webb's program will be work ethic and accountability."You don't just show up on Fridays and play," Webb said. "You win games Monday through Thursday. We're getting kids to understand practice is where your success arises."We're getting there."The student body at Jefferson and its feeder schools, more than any other district, was affected by the severe floods in 2008. According to rosters on quikstats at the Iowa High School Association website, numbers are lower than last season, hovering around 40. Webb said he believes there are positive changes throughout the school."We're changing the culture at the high school," Webb said. "I think there are a lot of good things happening."Junior Layne Sullivan led the J-Hawks with 558 passing yards and five touchdowns last season. He is also the team's top returning rusher, tallying 91 yards and a touchdown in 2011. Hunter Kloubec had 67 yards on six catches, returning with the most receiving stats. Drake Allen is was tops on the 2011 team with 46 tackles, while Sullivan is the next top accomplished tackler with 24 last year.Lance Scanlon, Michael Moncivais and Dalton Kuehl have received praise for their preseason effort."All these kids have been very consistent with things we've done," Webb said. "They're starting to understand the approach we need to build this program."Jefferson's schedule is tough, including an opener on the road against Westside rival Cedar Rapids Prairie on Aug. 24, home games against Cedar Rapids Xavier and Iowa City High, and one at Iowa City West. Players do have confidence they will come out on top sometime this season."Just go out and play the best of our ability and get some wins," Watson said. "If we can go 100 percent, we can get some wins."