Johnson County goes for 3 state football titles

CEDAR RAPIDS - There's this prep football coaches' show every Saturday morning on an Iowa City radio station. Regular guests include Iowa City High's Dan Sabers, Iowa City Regina's Marv Cook and Solon's Kevin Miller.It's officially called “Coaches Corner,” but “Championship Chat” works, too. Maybe even better.“I tell you, I'm blessed,” Cook said. “Every Saturday morning ... to absorb their knowledge of the game and the way they go about things, it's great.”Quite a football season in Johnson County. Iowa City West qualified for the postseason in Class 4A, and Clear Creek-Amana won a playoff game in 3A. West Branch made it to the semifinals in 1A, and Lone Tree was an entrant in Class A.Then there's the big three. City High (13-0) goes for its second-consecutive Class 4A championship when it plays West Des Moines Dowling at 7 at UN-Dome. The Little Hawks have won 27 straight games.Regina (13-0) gets North Polk (10-3) in Saturday afternoon's 2A title tilt. Solon (12-1) would set a state record with its fourth consecutive state championship if it beats Sioux City Heelan (12-1) in the ensuing 3A championship game.This is believed to be the first time one county has had three schools play for titles.“It just says a lot about the type of kids in Eastern Iowa, as well as the coaches,” Miller said. “I think you've got some very knowledgeable people, not only at the top, but the assistant coaches as well. Whether you're looking at Regina or City High. They have a system in place, obviously. And you just don't go away from the system. You do the things that make you who you are.”Mostly what these programs are is successful, year in and year out.“It's great kids, first of all. Great student-athletes,” Cook said. “And there's a lot of excitement with the Iowa Hawkeyes right here, and I think that's conducive to kids wanting to be a part of it, wanting to play football.”Sabers agrees with Cook, pointing out former Hawkeye Alex Kanellis is Regina's strength and conditioning coach, while Sabers' son Michael (another former Iowa player) does the same thing at City High. Cook, of course, was an all-American tight end at Iowa and longtime NFL player.“I think there are some definite reasons (for this),” Sabers said. “There's a commonality between us. It's the whole atmosphere of the Iowa City area. There has been a lot of good football here over the years. And I do think we feed off each other.”Cook said he you can't overlook the importance of the middle-school programs in the respective districts. This group of Regina seniors, for instance, is the first to go through a padded football program that Cook began for fifth and sixth-graders.Sabers has been a middle-school track and field coach in the City High district for 30 years and pointed out how important that has been in instilling habits for success at a younger age.“We want to make it a good structure for kids to compete and enjoy football,” Cook said. “Smile and have fun with it.”And win at it. Don't forget that.