Jefferson aiming high behind new quarterback

CEDAR RAPIDS - The first thing Cedar Rapids Jefferson football coach Brian Webb did when he found out was call his dad.

He'd just heard Jesse Furrow and his family were moving from Indiana to Cedar Rapids, and the senior brought with him an impressive stat line. Furrow threw for 2,147 yards and 20 touchdowns last season at Pendleton Heights High School and is a veteran of off-season quarterback camps galore.

Webb wanted to wait and see before getting too excited. But once Furrow was on campus last winter, it was clear almost immediately what the J-Hawks had.

'We're sure happy he's here - just the luck of the draw,” Webb said. 'Sometimes I think maybe it was for a reason.”

That reason? To be determined. But Webb had a few in mind the first day of practice.

The third-year coach hasn't at all shied away from the struggles the J-Hawks' football program has gone through the past several years. A 1-8 record last season, no playoff wins since 1992, and no winning records since 2000.

Webb has hammered home the point of wanting to shift the culture at Jefferson back to the mind-set it had in the 1970s when it was a nearly unstoppable football power. Results and attitude don't change overnight, but the addition of a talented and mature young man under center can certainly speed up the process.

'Without a doubt, he's a big piece of what we're doing,” Webb said. 'When he came in, he had a great football knowledge to begin with. He was well beyond what I thought he would be. He picked things up very easily; he understood my concepts very easily.

'It's nice because I can send him over with kids (at practice) and he'll lead a group, and if a wide receiver doesn't run the right route, he'll correct them. And that's ultimately what you want with a quarterback.”

That maturity on the field is evident, even from a laymen's perspective.

Furrow carries himself like a seasoned veteran on the field and said he feels most comfortable in a leadership role. Moving when the family did helped that process greatly. His father, Lynn, took a job as a pastor at Springs of Life Church in Cedar Rapids and the family arrived here before the start of the third term this spring.

'It's just kind of my personality; it's the way I was on my other team,” Furrow said. 'I choose the vocal leader role. I love football, and that's just the way I am.”

Getting here when the family did allowed Furrow to get to know his classmates and teammates and fast-forwarded the feeling of comfort.

It was clear to Webb, Furrow and other players how much that helped. Physical abilities and watching all the film available can only go so far. A relationship has to develop for on-field success to be achieved.

'Everyone's been great. Everyone's accepted me into the group as just another one of the guys. It's been a good transition,” Furrow said. '(Moving when we did) gave me the opportunity to get in the weight room, get to know the guys better - instead of starting in the summer, you're already acclimated to the guys.

'Now we can work on this stuff (specific schemes in fall camp) instead of having to wait.”

His teammates have a little extra pep in their step these days, too.

The accuracy and velocity Furrow puts on the ball have skill position players salivating at the chance to make plays. And his mobility gives the offensive line - still a work in progress - a greater margin for error.

All that said, his talent also turns up the wick on the pressure under his teammates to come through.

'It's been really great, he's been a great leader. He's really good, and knows when to throw it and where the windows are,” said senior receiver Mason Furnish. 'It makes our jobs really easy. We've all gotten a lot better at the receiver position, so it'll be easier too because we know and can trust the ball is going to be there right when it's supposed to be.

'It brings up the pressure a little bit, because he's really vocal. And he'll tell you when you've done something wrong. It makes a better team atmosphere and makes everyone better.”

Furrow, Furnish and several others don't have a whole lot of time left in a Jefferson uniform. They're fully on board with Webb's goals of a winning record, a playoff berth and even a playoff victory.

But Furrow is aiming even higher. He won't be content with five wins and simply making the playoffs.

That attitude is one Webb can smile and laugh about when remembering that unsure but excited call to his dad so many months ago.

'My personal goal (is) I want to go at least 7-2 and win playoff games,” Furrow said. 'I just want to be part of the turnaround. I want to be part of the culture change where it's a winning mentality from now on.”

Jefferson opens its season Aug. 29 at Kingston Stadium against Cedar Rapids Washington.

JEFFERSON J-HAWKS

l Coach: Brian Webb (third year, 20-20)

l Last year: 1-8

l Key returners: RB/DB Tavian Rashed, WR/DB Mason Furnish, LB Luke Sedlacek, OL/DL Kelly May, OL/DL Dalton Kuehl, WR/DB Bryce Lund, RB/DB Cameron Frazier, RB/DB Kevonte Jones

l Key losses: QB Layne Sullivan, RB/DB Michael Moncivais, OL/LB Will Orr, OL/DL Michael Smith, WR/DB Brandon Wiederin

l Key to making playoffs: The talk of a culture change only intensified from last year to this year, and a new quarterback in Jesse Furrow has only added to it. A renewed energy, plus the switch from conference to district play will help as well. Following through with execution in winnable games could give the J-Hawks their first playoff berth in nearly 10 years.

l Game to watch: The opening game of the season is the one J-Hawks players and fans circle every year - the annual rivalry game against Cedar Rapids Washington. The talented Warriors will immediately test new QB Furrow and could show just how much progress Jefferson has made. Even a close loss could jump start the season.

Schedule

Aug. 29 - at Washington

Sept. 5 - Prairie

Sept. 12 - at Dav. North

Sept. 18 - at Dav. West

Sept. 25 - Kennedy

Oct. 2 - at Cedar Falls

Oct. 10 - Waterloo West

Oct. 17 - Waterloo East

Oct. 24 - at Linn-Mar

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@sourcemedia.net