Metro Sports Report

Webb faces stiff challenge with J-Hawks

He is 32 years old and embarking on the rebuilding job of a lifetime. Does Brian Webb, or anyone else for that matter, have a chance to put Cedar Rapids Jefferson back on the Iowa high school football map?

The short answer is yes, anything can happen. But it’s a lot more complicated than that.

Webb was introduced last Thursday as Jefferson’s eighth football coach since the school opened in 1958. Scott Unash and I had an opportunity to interview him on The Gym Class on 1600-AM last Thursday afternoon, a few hours before Webb met with Jefferson players, parents and boosters.

Webb talked a good game, giving thoughtful and complete answers to questions. He spoke with some passion and conviction. He didn’t claim to know the J-Hawks’ first opponent this fall but committed to putting his plan in place this summer.

Jefferson’s once-proud football program has fallen on hard times. It has endured 11 straight losing seasons and has lost 22 straight games. That’s unbelievable and unacceptable for many J-Hawk alumni.

At one time, the program under coaches Ted Lawrence and Jack Fisk produced 20 straight winning seasons (1961-81), mythical state championships in 1964 and ’65 and a state title in the first year of the Iowa playoffs (1972).

How in the world has it gotten to this point, Jefferson boosters ask.

There are many elements that go into a winning, or even competitive, prep football program: coaching, good athletes, sound facilities, solid administrative backing, student body support and sometimes some luck.

Paulson resigns as Kennedy wrestling coach

Brent Paulson resigned Wednesday as the wrestling coach at Kennedy High School after nine seasons.

Paulson compiled a 95-77 record as Kennedy's head coach and had four state champions.

Paulson was an outstanding wrestler for the Cougars during his high school career with a 110-10-1 record, capped by the 119-pound state title as a senior in 1992.

Paulson met with his wrestlers Wednesday afternoon and informed them of his decision to step down.

Cedar Valley Christian adds baseball

The Cedar Valley Christian Huskies plan to field a varsity baseball team for the first time this summer and compete in the IHSAA postseason tournament.

Cedar Valley has 15 dates on its schedule so far and plans to add more games in the coming weeks, according to Stephanie Hodge, the school's athletic director.

The Huskies could play some of their home games at Daniels Park in Cedar Rapids.

Happy anniversary boys state tournament

It's hard to imagine, but one of the state's top draws turns a century old this week.

It's the Boys State Basketball Tournament. From humble beginnings, this week-long love affair between the fans and top teams across the state has become a yearly tradition that more than 70,000 fans enjoy annually.

I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the tournament as both a student and fan as well as a broadcaster. My first recollection of the tournament goes back to 1975 when as a student at Nixon Elementary, I recall the talk around school amongst the teachers about the Kennedy team that had qualified that season and their chances for victory. Later, as a senior in 1984, I was among the throng of students that celebrated a 3A, then the largest class, state championship for the Cougars led by Al Lorenzen and Jeff Hrubes.

I then started to attend the tournament as a spectator during my college years with a group of several friends who all enjoyed watching the happenings in Des Moines. We would each root for whichever team caught our attention during the day and had a great time watching the display on the court from the second balcony at the old Veterans Auditorium, as well as dining at the "Ruptured Duck" Grill on the north concourse!