Prairie Football

Prairie drubbed by Iowa City West, 50-8

IOWA CITY - Sixty-seven.

No, that was not the temperature Friday night when the Iowa City West football team faced Cedar Rapids Prairie. It was much more brisk than that.

The number 67 refers to Prairie's total yards from scrimmage.

In a football game where the Iowa City West defense held Prairie to its fewest yards of the season, the Trojans steamrolled the Hawks 50-8 on a chilly September night at the Iowa City West field.

The opening snap that Prairie took on offense was a fumbled quarterback/center exchange, and it looked like something was amiss for the Hawks all night.

“We just came out really flat today,” said Prairie receiver Jason Vizzini. “They took full advantage.”

West’s defense blanketed Prairie receivers but didn’t really need to, as quarterback Jace Hanna was sacked seven times and was constantly under pressure. The Trojan defense allowed only two Prairie first downs in the first half.

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Prairie gains confidence after scaring Cedar Falls

Things didn't look good for the Cedar Rapids Prairie football team last week.

Demetrius Harper, their top weapon, broke his collarbone Sept. 2 and was lost for the rest of the regular season, and the Hawks had to face top-ranked Cedar Falls after being shut out by Xavier.

If you follow Prairie football, you know what happened next. The Hawks gave Cedar Falls a tough game before falling, 41-28, and their confidence has soared despite an 0-3 start.

"It makes us feel like we can play with anybody in the state now and that we can beat anybody," Prairie quarterback Jace Hanna said Thursday after practice.

The Hawks visit Iowa City West (2-1) Friday night, continuing their meatgrinder schedule that's featured Washington (2-1), Xavier (3-0), Cedar Falls (3-0) and now West.

"I think we've made progress from Week 1 until now," new head coach Mike Morrissey said. "It might not show it in the standings, but I feel like our kids are getting better.

"They're gaining confidence with what we're doing on both sides of the ball, and believing in themselves a little bit more. You see that in these guys even walking the hallway.

"Even though our record might not show it, these guys are winners. They've given a total effort, they understand what it means now. And eventually it will pay off."

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Hill's 5 TDs thwart Hawks' upset bid

There were times Friday night when the Cedar Falls football team seemed to forget that they were the No. 1 ranked team in the state. Tiger running back Barkley Hill never forgot that he is one of the best players in the state.

Bulldozing for 293 yards and five touchdowns, Hill lead Cedar Falls to a 41-28 victory over Prairie at John Wall Field, as Prairie put together a solid game against the state's best team.

“Hill had a big night running for us. We were able to gain control of the line of scrimmage with our line and we did a lot of good things,” said Cedar Falls co-Coach Pat Mitchell. “We also had some disappointing parts of the game with other parts of our team but we are going to work on them and try and get better.”

Prairie quarterback Jace Hanna and the Prairie offense didn’t let Cedar Falls’ reputation worry them as Hanna threw for 361 yards and two scores and the offense put up 28 points. The Cedar Falls defense had only allowed nine total points in the first two games of the season.

“I just think that Jace is getting confidence,” said Prairie Coach Mike Morrissey. “For the most part we protected him pretty well and when we had breakdowns he was able to move around and make things happen with his feet. He has really progressed and is as tough mentally as he is physically.”

Hanna also rushed for 56 yards.

Cedar Falls got the ball to start the game, and methodically marched 62 yards down the field, almost unmatched, as quarterback Ike Boettger connected with Brennan Block in the corner of the end zone. It looked like it was going to be a deflating score, as the near capacity crowd that packed John Wall Field readied themselves to witness a drubbing.

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Harper, Becker hurt for Prairie gridders

The Cedar Rapids Prairie football team suffered two significant injuries during its 14-0 loss to Xavier last Friday.

Demetrius Harper suffered a fractured collarbone on the opening kickoff and will be sidelined for eight weeks, which means he'll probably miss the rest of the season.

Casey Becker suffered a concussion during the first half and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Harper, a 6-foot, 176-pound junior, was Prairie's top offensive threat as a speedy flankerback, equally dangerous as a runner and receiver. He scored two touchdowns in the season opener against Washington on a 74-yard run and a 32-yard pass. He finished that game with 123 yards rushing and 63 yards receiving.

He also returns kickoffs for the Hawks and was hurt on the very first play at Xavier. "He ended up playiing one or two series, but he has a fractured collarbone and is out eight weeks," Prairie Coach Mike Morrissey reported Wednesday.

Becker, also a junior, is a linebacker and center for the Hawks. Morrissey said he suffered the concussion in the middle of the second quarter against the Saints.

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