Cedar Rapids Jefferson wrestling coach Dick Briggs has all the presents he needs for Christmas now.

The third-ranked J-Hawks put another ornament on their tree Thursday night with a 34-28 victory over fourth-ranked Prairie in a Mississippi Valley Conference showdown at Prairie.

Jefferson has collected victories over No. 4 Prairie, No.5 Iowa City West and No. 7 Linn-Mar this season and the campaign has barely started.

"It feels pretty good," said Briggs. "It's an early Christmas present. But this is a fun team. Hopefully we can keep it rolling throughout the season."

Briggs and Prairie Coach Blake Williams juggled their lineups Thursday, looking for an edge at different weights, and Jefferson prevailed by winning eight of the 14 bouts.

"It feels great," said Jefferson senior Dalton Kuehl, who posted an important pin at 285 pounds to give the J-Hawks a 30-22 lead. "It was a good team effort tonight. Everyone went out there and wrestled hard."

Marcus England pinned his man at 106 pounds to pull Prairie within 30-28 in the next-to-last match, but Jefferson had second-ranked Brenden Baker waiting in the wings at 113 pounds and Baker came through with a major decision to seal the deal.

The J-Hawks raised their dual meet record to a spotless 5-0, highlighted by the three victories over ranked opponents.

"Initially they had us ranked to beat them," noted Kyle Briggs, who climbed a weight and posted a 5-3 victory at 138 pounds, "but it's a lot more fun when you can show everybody who's boss and kind of silence the doubters, I guess."

Last year, Prairie fans chanted "This Is Our House" when the Hawks defeated the J-Hawks at Jefferson. This time, the Jefferson students got even with a chant of their own.

Jefferson has put itself in position for a good year.

I think the sky is the limit for us," said Kuehl, a strong 240-pounder who plans to play football in college. "We'll have a chance to prove ourselves this Saturday at Southeast Polk."

The J-Hawks will be competing at the Southeast Polk tournament and could battle the top-ranked Rams for the championship.

Joseph Sibomana (120), Nick Dreckman (160) and Kuehl (285) had pins for Jefferson. Sibomana pinned Dylan Kleinschmidt in overtime in a pivotal match that could have gone either way.

Kelly May of Jefferson nipped Jarod Cadena of Prairie, 7-6, in an another pivotal match of ranked wrestlers at 182 pounds. Tavian Rashed (152) and Luke Sedlacek (170) won decisions for the J-Hawks.

England (106), Sam Uthoff (126) and Jonah Manson (220) had pins for Prairie (4-2). Josh Wenger scored a major decision at 138. Seth Wennermark (132) and Taylor Mehmen (195) also won for the Hawks.

JEFFERSON 34, PRAIRIE 28

120 - Joseph Sibomana (J) pinned Dylan Kleinschmidt, 6:17 (ot)
126 - Sam Uthoff (P) pinned Seth Jellison, 2:38
132 - Seth Wennermark (P) dec. Dylan Pappas, 9-2
138 - Kyle Briggs (J) dec. Zach Fiser, 5-3
145 - Josh Wenger (P) major dec. Matt Culver, 11-1
152 - Tavian Rashed (J) dec. Chase St. John, 11-6
160 - Nick Dreckman (J) pinned Angel Peralta, 1:04
170 - Luke Sedlacek (J) dec. Nick Hogan, 4-2
182 - Kelly May (J) dec. Jarod Cadena, 7-6
195 - Taylor Mehmen (P) dec. Erik Hovey, 8-3
220 - Tyler Pasker (P) pinned Richard Moomey, 1:20
285 - Dalton Kuehl (J) pinned Jonah Manson, 3:08
106 - Marcus England (P) pinned Zach Main, 1:36
113 - Brenden Baker (J) major dec. Lucas Harmening, 13-5