The Jefferson J-Hawks have lost 25 straight games to Metro opponents the last six years, but Brian Webb's club hopes to end that negative streak Thursday night when it faces the winless Kennedy Cougars at Kingston Stadium.

The kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. (KGYM 1600 AM/107.5 FM).

Jefferson (2-2) has not whipped a Metro opponent since topping Linn-Mar, 27-19, on Oct. 17, 2008. The J-Hawks lost to five Metro teams in 2009, five more in 2010, five more in 2011, four more in 2012, four more in 2013 and two this year.

Jefferson has given top-ranked Washington and Prairie good battles this season and appears primed to knock off Kennedy, which has struggled this year with an 0-4 record.

The J-Hawks overwhelmed Davenport West, 62-0, last week for their second straight lopsided victory and come into Thursday's game with their most confidence in years.

Jefferson quarterback Jesse Furrow, a transfer from Indiana, has given the J-Hawks a polished passer and leader on the field. He threw only five passes last week against Davenport West, but three of them went for touchdowns.

Furrow has completed 29 of 52 passes (55.8 percent) for 657 yards and seven touchdowns. Tavian Rashed has carried the ball 50 times for 259 yards and five TDs.

Jefferson got a big boost last week when Dalton Kuehl, its top lineman, returned to action after recovering from a leg injury.

Jefferson has been scoring 36 points per game and allowing 16.7. Kennedy is averaging only 12.5 points and surrendering 29.2 under first-year head coach Brian White.

Sammy Lizarraga has completed 52 of 107 passes (48.6 percent) for 438 yards and four touchdowns for Kennedy. Logan Wedo has carried the ball 55 times for 274 yards.

This is the Class 4A District 5 opener for both teams.