Metro Sports Report

Prairie Hawks stopped by Hempstead

The Cedar Rapids Prairie volleyball team accomplished some terrific things this year with a conference title and the most victories in school history, but the season ended in sadness and abundant tears Tuesday night.

The eighth-ranked Hawks were bounced by No. 12 Dubuque Hempstead, 25-18, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22, in the Class 5A regional finals at Prairie and denied a spot in the state tournament.

Prairie and Hempstead were no strangers this season, with the Hawks holding a 2-1 edge during the regular season in three meetings, but the fourth confrontation belonged to the visitors from Dubuque.

The Hawks were still crying 15 minutes after the match, following a closed-door meeting in a classroom.

Linn-Mar denied in regional final

In the end, Iowa City West was a little more "in sync" than Linn-Mar.

Lions volleyball coach Teresa Kehe's description told the story of Tuesday night's Class 5A regional final at a loud Linn-Mar gym.

The No. 11 Women of Troy (27-11) avenged a pair of regular-season losses to the No. 10 Lions, earning a trip to the U.S. Cellular Center for the state tournament with a 25-23, 29-27, 26-24 victory.

"We really struggled tonight," Kehe said. "Again, our youth caught up with us. We just weren't in sync all night long and they were."

West coach Randy Dolson said the difference between the two teams was razor-thin all year.

"I thought we were evenly matched every time we played them," he said. "Earlier in the year, we had them a couple times. They are a great team, but I always felt like we hurt ourselves and they ended up winning."

Wash tops Jeff, gets Kennedy next

The Washington Warriors have been waiting for two long months to get another shot at the Kennedy Cougars.

Now it's here.

TJ Vogel fired three touchdown passes Monday night as the Warriors topped Jefferson, 42-21, in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs at Kingston Stadium for their 23rd victory in their last 25 games.

Washington (10-1) will battle Kennedy (11-0) in the quarterfinals Friday night at Kingston Stadium, with the winner earning a trip to the Class 4A semifinals in the UNI-Dome.

No. 3 Cougars roll to 4A quarters

Dalles Jacobus treasures each opportunity he gets to take the field for the Kennedy football team.

The unquestioned emotional leader for the Cougars, Jacobus and his teammates have been on a mission from the opening day of practice. The "family" mantra has been well-publicized this year.

Also well-known is the way the Cougars approach each game.

"It's fun," the senior lineman said. "You get your guy, drive him off the ball and let (Tyler) Dralle do what he does."

Kennedy did just that Monday night at Kingston Stadium. With Jacobus and the rest of the line and receivers leading the way. Dralle rushed unofficially for 142 yards on 28 carries, scoring four touchdowns as the No. 3 Cougars moved to 11-0 with an impressive 49-7 win over North Scott in a second-round Class 4A playoff game.