Jefferson keeps playoff hopes alive with win

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Jefferson is grasping at its first playoff berth in six years.

After a late handoff fell to the turf last week, the J-Hawks no longer held their postseason fate in their own hands.

Jefferson did put themselves in position for one of the playoff spots in Class 4A District 5 last night with a 35-0 victory over Waterloo East at Kingston Stadium. The J-Hawks racked up more than 200 yards rushing, including more than 100 yards from both Tavian Rashed and Bryce Lund, who combined for four first-half touchdowns.

A costly loss to Waterloo West last week put the J-Hawks in desperate need to close with two wins.

'This was the first round of playoffs for us,' Jefferson Coach Brian Webb said. 'Next week is the second round.'

The staff reminded the players they have a 'one-week season' and preparation begins Saturday. The J-Hawks (4-4, 2-2) are close. Enthusiasm and nerves accompany a chance to advance beyond the regular season.

'We want to make people proud,' Rashed said. 'We're trying to do something no Jefferson team has done for a while.'

Jefferson dominated on defense and in the running game. The J-Hawks amassed 410 yards rushing. Rashed led the way with 129, while Lund had 127.

'Our line played fantastic,' Rashed said. 'All the backs hit it hard.

'Our big plays were clicking offensively.'

The success on the ground made it easy to want to keep attacking. Rashed had touchdown runs of 13, 19 and 8 yards. Lund opened the scoring with a 29-yard TD in the first and capped the scoring with a 1-yard plunge in the third. He carried the ball seven times and wanted to keep getting the call.

'I get really excited,' Lund said about running the ball. 'I've got good blocking out there so I'm always excited to get the ball.'

The J-Hawk defense allowed 50 yards of total offense, holding the Trojans (0-8, 0-4) to a loss of 10 yards rushing.

The game was brutal at times with both teams combining for 27 penalties for about 180 yards. The mistakes have been a problem in the past, despite stretches of more discipline play this season. The J-Hawks know they have to get better.

'The scoreboard was irrelevant,' said Webb, who a list and count of each infraction. 'We can't beat quality teams with things like that.'

The J-Hawks bid farewell to a senior class that persevered some rough seasons, contributing to the highest win total since 2008. It was a bittersweet moment for Webb, who is in his third season leading Jefferson.

'I'm glad all seniors got in and got playing time,' Webb said. 'There are a lot of great seniors. They stuck with it.'

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