Prairie Football

J-Hawks look to take next big step

The Jefferson J-Hawks snapped a couple of serious losing streaks last week when they defeated Kennedy in overtime at friendly Kingston Stadium, but now comes an even bigger challenge for the J-Hawks.

Jefferson will try to beat the Cedar Falls Tigers in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Thursday night, giving the J-Hawks a tougher opponent in an environment that can be imposing for visiting teams.

The late kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

In other Metro games Thursday night, Linn-Mar visits Kennedy at Kingston Stadium and Prairie plays winless Iowa City High at Bates Field in Iowa City.

Jefferson is 3-2 overall and 1-0 in Class 4A District 5. Cedar Falls is 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the same district.

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Simonsen's gutsy call lifts Prairie

Dakota Simonsen, a sophomore with absolutely no varsity experience, was minding his own business on the sideline Friday night when Cedar Rapids Prairie quarterback Trey Beckman was injured late in the third quarter and had to leave the game against North Scott.

Prairie Coach Mike Morrissey sent Simonsen into the game against the No.7 Lancers with the score tied, 7-7, and all the fans hooting and hollering.

"At first I was thinking, 'Oh crap,'" Simonsen confessed later. "I was nervous. First varsity game. Homecoming. And they're one of the better teams in the state."

Simonsen took a deep breath and made a gutsy call that resulted in the winning touchdown as Prairie topped North Scott, 13-7.

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Warriors, Lions tangle in 4A showdown

The resurgent Linn-Mar football team has gotten off to a 3-0 start, but the Lions will face their stiffest test of the season Friday night when the Washington Warriors invade Linn-Mar Stadium for a Class 4A non-district game.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on KCRG 1600-AM/107.5 FM.

Linn-Mar senior quarterback Ryan Schmidt has rushed for 152 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He also has passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns by hitting 19 of 35 passes.

Speedster Perrion Scott has carried the ball 26 times for 287 yards. He scored three touchdowns in the first quarter last week in an easy win at Clinton.

Logan Benter, a running back and linebacker for the Lions, missed last week's game with a leg injury, but is expected back this week.

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Prairie's furious rally falls short

DUBUQUE – Cedar Rapids Prairie sent up a Hail Mary Friday night and Trey Beckman's almost-answered prayer was the only thing separating the Hawks from an improbable road victory over an undefeated Dubuque Senior team at Dalzell Field.

“It was bang-bang. They were just as close to catching the ball as us knocking it down,” Senior Coach John Osweiler said.

A squadron of Rams defenders swarmed the ball in the end zone, knocking down Beckman's game-winning prayer at the horn to seal Senior's breathless 34-28 victory over a relentless Prairie team that never quit despite playing from behind for nearly four quarters in chilly 37-degree temperatures.

“Tonight was a little ugly, but we pulled it out in the end,” Rams quarterback Lee Bonifas said.

Down 34-7 with 8:37 left, a slow starting but poised Beckman fired three touchdown passes in the game's final minutes.

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