Cedar Rapids Washington's Alex Carr (3, right) keeps ahead of Cedar Rapids Jefferson defender Hunter Elvidge (86) in the first half of their game at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — Andre Dawson ran with a special purpose against Cedar Rapids Jefferson.  In honor of his mother, Hilda, diagnosed with breast cancer when he was just 12 years old, the Cedar Rapids Washington senior running back made a pledge to score for every year his mother had survived.

“I told myself my goal was to get a touchdown for every year she survived,” said an emotional Dawson, now 17. “This year was her fifth year.”

Donning a special pink jersey and socks for breast cancer awareness, Dawson scored five touchdowns, powering the Warriors to a 45-7 win over the crosstown rival J-Hawks in a Mississippi Valley Conference contest last night at Kingston Stadium.

That’s one amazing feat to go along with Hilda surviving beyond the one year she was given to live, according to Dawson.

“It’s a miracle,” Dawson said. “I don’t understand how it happened.”

It’s easy to understand, though. Dawson ran through and around the J-Hawks defense, tallying 266 rushing yards including 190 in the second half.

“Andre’s just terrific obviously,” Washington Coach Tony Lombardi said. “He’s the best back in the state of Iowa. I think he’s pretty special.”

Dawson provided the offense for the Warriors in the first half. Dawson carried the ball on all but four plays, racking up 70 rushing yards.

Dawson put the Warriors on the board late in the first, scoring untouched on a 3-yard TD run. Alex Carr set up the score with a 45-yard jaunt the previous play.  Dawson’s second touchdown was the most surprising.

Jefferson looked to be in position to even the score, recovering a fumble on the Warriors 21, but the ball bounced the Warriors way on the very next play.

Jefferson’s Tanner Unkel took the hand off and fumbled at the line of scrimmage. Dawson picked up the loose ball with no one in front of him and dashed 78 yards down the left sideline for the score. Washington took that 14-0 lead to the locker room at halftime.

The J-Hawks managed to move the ball on the Warriors behind quarterback Logan Ruffridge, who was 9 of 14 for 70 yards passing. He guided them to eight first half first downs, but left the game with an injury to his non-throwing hand after a late hit in the second quarter.