Jefferson hopes for happy Homecoming

CEDAR RAPIDS - Homecoming is a phenomenon that unites the past, present and future of a school.

Alumni return to relive glory days, future students and athletes get a taste of possible good times ahead and the halls fill with swells of school spirit.

The annual celebration usually centers on football players, donning school colors and shouldering the pride of their supporters during a 48-minute competition before culminating a schoolwide dance.

The resurgence of Cedar Rapids Jefferson's football program has added to the excitement surrounding the fall ritual. The J-Hawks will attempt to deliver a Homecoming victory for the first time since 2008, hosting Waterloo West on Friday night at Kingston Stadium.

'I say this week the school has been more pumped up and ready for this week,” Jefferson senior Dakota Tomkins said. 'There have been a lot more kids talking about coming to the games. They really want to see us do well.”

The football program's improvement has produced increased enthusiasm for games. The prime example game two weeks ago when the J-Hawks edged Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 27-24, in overtime for their first win over a Metro foe in six years. Some fans and supporters joined the team on the field, while many from the student section remained in the stands to sing the Jefferson fight song and congratulate after the postgame huddle.

Students have changed their attitude toward the team.

'I even have kids in my P.E. class, who aren't athletes at all, coming up to me and giving me high-fives,” Jefferson Coach Brian Webb said. 'It's amazing how all those other kids all call me coach now. They didn't before. They called me Mr. Webb.”

Webb said school spirit and student attendance at games has been the best in his three years as head coach. The J-Hawks (3-3, 1-1 4A D5) want to give an even larger crowd a chance to cheer after the final horn, including former players and students who have messaged him this week.

'They're taking pride in what we're doing, realizing the success we're having,” Webb said. 'A lot of people come back for this game. We'll have a lot of people there for the fact that we have a decent team this year and people want to see us play.

'We don't want to disappoint. We want to play well against Waterloo.”

The week has been filled with special events, including a parade through the neighborhoods near Jefferson on Thursday afternoon. Practice was moved up a couple hours for the team to participate. They climbed on a float with fake goal posts, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in practice gear throwing candy to spectators and waving to onlookers.

'The parade was cool,” J-Hawks' two-year starting center Cam McInerney said. 'I feel everything has been better this season. Instead of losing all the time, we are winning. I feel like it makes it a better environment.”

Webb doesn't believe the weeklong festivities create a big distraction. He did not limit their involvement in school activities this week, changing the schedule to be in the parade.

He admitted the team struggled through lackluster practices on Monday and Tuesday, but rebounded to close the week with two good workouts.

'There is a little bit of distraction, but we try to block most of it out,” McInerney said. 'Practice comes first and when we're there we're focused on football.”

The J-Hawks had midterms this week as well, adding to the stress.

'It's been relaxed, surprisingly,” Tomkins said of the week. 'It's definitely hectic at football (practice), learning to new things.”

None of the current students have experienced a Homecoming win. The Homecoming dance has reflected the game result recently. Success could make the weekend livelier.

'It would be a new experience at the dance,” McInerney said. 'I bet it will be more upbeat.”

The pomp and circumstance of Homecoming doesn't have the impact of claiming another district win. The J-Hawks understand the implications that a win over West nearly secures third-place and places them in position to finish as high as second, as they try to return to the postseason.

'I feel there is a little more pressure than a normal game but not a lot,” McInerney said. 'It's just a Homecoming game, but there is more to it than Homecoming.”

Webb has seen the Wahawks (2-4, 1-1) and recognizes their potential. He said they haven't had a complete performance and the J-Hawks have to prevent it from happening this week.

'On paper, I think we match up pretty evenly against them,” Webb said. 'Bottom line is we have to come out and be more physical than them, because they do have some weapons.”

Jefferson has made major progress this season. They have already captured as many wins this season as the previous five combined. They have snapped six-year losing streaks at home and intracity rivals. Now they are trying to win its first Homecoming contest during that stretch, while closing in on its first playoff berth since 2008.

'What would really cap this thing off is a (win),” Webb said. 'The kids know it.

'It's another thing we want to check off our list.”

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