Iowa City City High's Ronald Thompson (34) breaks free for a 30-yard touchdown run during their game against Cedar Rapids Prairie Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 at City High School in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)

By Jason Brummond, correspondent

IOWA CITY – This is exactly what No. 9 Iowa City High needed.

The Little Hawks rebounded from their two losses in the last three weeks in a big way, racking up almost 400 yards in a 44-14 win over Cedar Rapids Prairie last night at Bates Field.

City High, which hosts a first-round playoff game next Wednesday, might be back on track at exactly the right time.

“We had our best week of practice this week,” Coach Dan Sabers said. “I think that’s a great sign. We’re going to be a hungry football team.”

Quarterback Jasper Washington rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another as the Little Hawks (7-2) rolled up 44-straight points against Prairie after falling behind 7-0 early in the first quarter.

Washington ran for a 32-yard score and then connected with senior tight end Steve Ferentz for a 23-yard touchdown for a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Iowa City City High's Nate Nelson (25) and Ryan Kroeze (33) wrap up Cedar Rapids Prairie's Cameron Rathje (44) during their game Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 at City High School in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)

Washington, who also threw for 119 yards, added TD runs of 30 and 7 yards in the third.

Running back Ronald Thompson carried eight times for 109 yards and two touchdowns – all in the first half. Sabers wanted his workhorse Thompson, who finishes the regular season with 198 rushes and 1,665 yards, to be fresh for the playoffs.

“That was the idea,” said Sabers, adding that City High’s 28 seniors and strong reserves deserved some solid minutes.

“It was a great night for our seniors. It’s been a great group for us.”

For City High, the 2009 state champion and runner-up last season, the goal remains a third consecutive trip to the UNI-Dome. Sabers thinks the 4A race is completely open this year.

“We’re a very good football team,” he said. “There’s no question in my mind that this team can do it. I think this will be really interesting to see.”

The season is over for Prairie (2-7) in Mike Morrissey’s first year as head coach, the second straight fall the Hawks missed a postseason berth.

The Hawks lost their first six games this season before stringing together wins against Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Dubuque Hempstead the last two weeks. Prairie needed to beat City High to have a chance at the postseason.

The upset was teed up for Prairie early in the first quarter.

The Hawks drove 80 yards on their first drive, converting two fourth downs and chewing up more than five minutes of clock before quarterback Jace Hanna connected with Jarred Edmands on a 24-yard touchdown.

Prairie first City High to go three-and-out on the next possession, but the Hawks couldn’t move the ball and then surrendered 28 unanswered points to end the first half.

Edmands caught 10 passes for 181 yards.

Hanna, who didn’t play after halftime, completed 17 of 31 pass attempts for 220 yards.