Kennedy Football

No. 9 Cougars aiming for No. 5 Warriors

It's always fun to head into a big high school football game when you have no clue how it's going to turn out.

That's the case heading into Friday night's showdown between the ninth-ranked Kennedy Cougars and fifth-ranked Washington Warriors at Kingston Stadium.

Based on last year's results, you'd have to make the Warriors a heavy favorite. But based on how things are shaping up this year, it could be a toss-up.

The picture can change quickly in high school sports. Washington reached the Class 4A state championship game last season and finished with a sparkling 13-1 record. Kennedy, meanwhile, began the season with a six-game losing streak and had to hustle to finish 3-8.

Washington returned a host of outstanding skill players this season, but the Warriors took a heavy hit on the offensive line. Now it's Kennedy that has a strong offensive line that helped tailback Tyler Dralle rush for 265 yards and four touchdowns last week in an exciting 34-31 victory over Iowa City West.

Washington was locked in a 14-14 battle with Jefferson last week before the Warriors broke away for a 27-14 victory, with its rebuilt offensive line opening some nice holes when it mattered.

Read more...

Warriors, Cougars crack AP rankings

The Washington Warriors and Kennedy Cougars, who meet Friday at Kingston Stadium, are both ranked in the top 10 of the first Associated Press high school football poll of the regular season.

The Warriors, who defeated Jefferson 27-14 in their first game, are ranked No. 5 in Class 4A. The Cougars, who topped Iowa City West 34-31 in their opener, are ranked No. 9 in Class 4A.

The Xavier Saints are ranked No. 4 in Class 3A. The Saints open their season at home Friday night against Davenport Assumption. Their scheduled game last Friday night against Dowling was canceled due to a thunderstorm and will not be rescheduled.

Cedar Rapids Prairie received six points in the Class 4A poll for 16th place. The Hawks defeated Linn-Mar, 31-17, Friday night.

Cedar Valley Christian received one point in the 8-Player rankings after defeating Harmony, 65-6. The Huskies are in 21st place in the rankings.

Dralle wins Metro Spotlight Award

Tyler Dralle of Kennedy is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Dralle, a senior, carried the ball 40 times for 265 yards and four touchdowns Thursday night when the Cougars opened the 2015 football season with an exciting 34-31 victory over Iowa City West.

Dralle averaged 6.6 yards per carry and scored touchdowns on runs of 10, 7, 1 and 2 yards behind Kennedy's talented offensive line.

Read more...

Dralle stars as Cougars nip IC West

Tyler Dralle owes his offensive linemen at Kennedy a big steak dinner, but he's a guy on a budget and the Cougars might have to settle for something less fancy.

"Go to McDonald's or something. Maybe Pancheros. I don't know," Dralle said Thursday night with a smile. "I've got to reward them for something."

Dralle lugged the ball 40 times for 264 yards and four touchdowns as the ninth-ranked Cougars survived a brilliant passing attack by Iowa City West, 34-31, in a thriller at Kingston Stadium in the season opener.

Dalles Jacobus, one of Kennedy's beat-eaters on the offensive line, is ready to belly up and celebrate Dralle's big night.

"That's my bro," said Jacobus. "I'll be ready to eat anything, as long as it's free. We love the kid."

Kennedy need every one of those 264 yards from Dralle to get past the Trojans and their pass-happy combo of quarterback Alex Henderson and receiver Oliver Martin, who put on a show of their own. Henderson hit 20 of 30 passes for 357 yards and Martin, nearly unstoppable, made 12 grabs for 237 yards and two TDs.

Read more...