Hobson stars as Prairie whips West, 32-11

By Jim Ecker

IOWA CITY – Colt Hobson rarely took a play off for the Prairie Hawks Friday night. And that was a very good thing.

Hobson galloped for 224 yards and two touchdowns on offense and intercepted a pass and raced 38 yards for a touchdown on defense as Prairie whipped Iowa City West, 32-11, and cemented a spot in the Class 5A playoffs.

Hobson had to carry a heavy load for the Hawks with Dawson Kahl, the other half of Prairie’s 1-2 punch at tailback, suspended for one game for a violation of team rules. Hobson lugged the ball 26 times and broke loose for a 56-yard jaunt.

He also played a stellar game at defensive back, in addition to the Pick-6.

“The goal tonight was to take only three plays off,” said Hobson. “That’s my biggest thing: Endurance.

“I was just doing my thing,” he said. “That’s what I do. I needed to show it.”

Prairie Coach Kyle Knock said the original plan was to have Hobson and Kahl share the load at tailback, as usual, but they had to adjust with Kahl not in uniform.

“We rolled with Cole,” said Knock. “He’s a very talented running back. We needed him tonight and he stepped up big-time.”

The Hawks raised their record to 6-2 and could clinch a home game in the playoffs if they defeat Dubuque Senior at home next Friday.

Tae Alexander made a circus one-handed catch in the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown on a pass from Cael Kongshaug for Prairie’s first touchdown. Alexander reached out with his left hand and hauled it in, just like top receivers do in the NFL.

“At first I thought it was overthrown,” he said. “Actually I did bobble it a little bit.”

A two-point conversion by Aubreon Moorlet tied the game at 8-8. Hobson’s Pick-6, his second in two weeks, made it 15-8 late in the first half with the PAT by Junior Boxa.

Iowa City West pulled within 15-11 at halftime with a field goal, but Prairie blanked the Trojans 17-0 in the second half.

Boxa made it 18-11 with a 29-yard field goal, then Hobson gave the Hawks some breathing room when he zoomed 56 yards for a touchdown, keeping his balance after being bumped inside the 5. Boxa’s PAT made it 25-11 with 6:33 left in the game.

Prairie made a series of big stops on defense to keep Iowa City West off the board. Hobson clinched the game when he capped a 36-yard drive with a 2-yard score, carrying the ball all six times on the march.

Kongshaug finished 10 of 16 for 88 yards with one interception.

Prairie has outsocred its opponents 192-18 in its last four games after being throttled at Waukee Northwest, 47-0, on Sept. 18. “We really regrouped after that,” said Knock.

Prairie     8   7   0   17 – 32
IC West   8   3   0    0 – 11

ICW – Safety (Kongshaug tackled in end zone)
ICW – Atari Brown 5 run (kick failed)
CRP – Alexander 36 pass from Kongshaug (Moorlet run)
CRP – Hobson 38 interception return (Boxa kick)
ICW – Vanderpuye 33 FG
CRP – Boxa 29 FG
CRP – Hobson 56 run (Boxa kick)
CRP – Hobson 2 run (Boxa kick)