Jefferson Football

Improved J-Hawks see green fields ahead

It's easy to see the improvements in the Jefferson High School football program this year.

All it takes is one visit to the team's practice facility at the school on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids.

The two practice fields are brimming with lush green grass. The rusty goal posts have been painted. There are two new drinking stations at the fields, instead of on top of a steep hill. And the fields are painted on a weekly basis so the yard lines and sidelines are easily visible.

"Last year when I came here these fields were unplayable and they were unsafe to play on," Coach Brian Webb said this week. "It's an exciting time. It's exciting to see the positive changes.

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J-Hawk great Larry Lawrence dies

Larry Lawrence, a star athlete at Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the 1960's, died Tuesday in Texas.

Lawrence, 63, was an all-state quarterback and all-state basketball player for the J-Hawks. He helped Jefferson win the state football title in 1965 and also helped the J-Hawks win the state basketball title in 1967.

Lawrence played college football at Iowa and the University of Miami. He played in the NFL and CFL.

Watson, Allen on all-MVC team

Cedar Rapids Prairie quarterback Jace Hanna has been named the Athlete of the Year in the Valley Division of the Mississippi Valley Conference for the 2012 campaign.

One of the people he topped for the award is Xavier quarterback Reggie Schulte, and they'll meet Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs at Xavier.

Xavier claimed six spots on the Valley Division's top unit with Schulte, Corbin Woods, Seth Fahnle, Emeliano Martinez, Craig Murtha and Ryan Persick.

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J-Hawks end season with 42-0 setback

Cedar Rapids Jefferson saluted its 1972 state championship team Friday night at Kingston Stadium and said goodbye to this year's senior class.

The game against Dubuque Senior ended in a 42-0 defeat, leaving the J-Hawks with a 1-8 record in Brian Webb's first year as head coach.

It may have been a disappointing ending, but Webb was anything but disheartened by the effort his team has put forth throughout the season.

“Our future is bright,” he said. “It has been a season of ups and downs, but we have come through it together.

"Our expectation is that we are all-in or all-out and these guys proved to be all-in. They worked hard all season and provided the foundation we needed to build for the future.

"We had 27 juniors and seniors who were committed and it’s that kind of commitment that success is built on," he said.

The J-Hawks (1-8, 1-5) had 110 yards of total offense. They were led in rushing by Michael Moncivais, who carried the ball nine times for 18 yards.

Layne Sullivan accounted for 45 passing yards, completing 5 of 12 attempts. Brandon Wiederin, Blake Bernauer and Ben Koering each caught two passes.

“We put everything on the field every day all year,” said senior Hunter Kloubec. “Everyone was there for everybody all season. Coach changed everything and pushed us to get better."

Dubuque Senior (7-2, 4-2) was led in rushing by Alex Duster, who carried the ball 21 times for 170 yards and a touchdown. Austin Clemens was 5-for-8 for 99 yards and three touchdown passes and rushed for a fourth.

It was a season which saw Jefferson end a 24-game losing streak and turn a corner in a new beginning. It was also a night when Jefferson remembered a significant piece of its rich tradition.

The 1972 state champion J-Hawks returned for their 40th reunion and got some well deserved recognition at halftime.

“We got over the hump and now it’s time to move forward, to begin preparing for next season,” said Sullivan, a junior. “We have to work together and we have to buy in and start right now.”

DUBUQUE SENIOR 42, JEFFERSON 0

DS        CRJ

First downs        15        8
Rushing            33-221    29-37
Passing            5-8-0     8-20-3
Passing yards      99        73
Punts              0         1-34
Fumbles/Lost       1-1       2-0

Dubuque Senior   14   7  14   7 - 42
Jefferson         0   0   0   0 -  0

SCORING PLAYS

DS – Alex Duster 6 run (Ben Martin kick)
DS – Cole Wilbricht 7 pass from Austin Clemens (Martin kick)
DS – Clemens 1 yard run (Martin kick)
DS – Keegan Gallery 15 pass from Clemens (Martin kick)
DS – Gallery 21 pass from Clemens (Martin kick)
DS – Mike Williams 16 run (Martin kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING
DUBUQUE SENIOR: Alex Duster 21-170, Austin Clemens 3-1, Parker Hammel 4-38, Mike Williams 5-14.
JEFFERSON: Nick O'Connell 9-2, Michael    Moncivais 9-18, Layne Sullivan 4-3, Hunter Kloubec 4-11, Luke Owens 1-6, Lance Scallon 2-3.

PASSING
DUBUQUE SENIOR: Clemens 5-8-0, 99 yards.
JEFFERSON: Sullivan 5-12-1, 45 yards; Scallon 3-8-2, 28 yards.

RECEIVING
DUBUQUE SENIOR: Brandon Richey 1-50, Cole Wilbricht 1-7, Hammel 1-6, Keegan Gallery 2-36.
JEFFERSON: Kloubec 1-7, Blake Bernauer 2-25, Brandon Wiederin, 2-15, Ben Koering 2-24, Colton Cortez 1-4.