North-Linn looking to Rawson’s speed

Jacob Rawson is looking forward to a healthier senior season.

Plagued early by back trouble during last season's one-win campaign, the North-Linn tailback/strong safety will be heavily relied upon to produce for a Lynx offense which is replacing leaders at all three offensive skill positions.

'I think that we can have a pretty good season if all of us put in all of our work,” said Rawson, who ran for 481 yards and four scores last season. 'And all do what we need to do during every single play and never take a break.”

Rawson utilizes a stretching routine at home and both before and after practice to keep his back muscles loose, an injury he believes began with hip tightness. At nearly 6-foot-2, Rawson is a big tailback but not lacking for speed, evidenced by his performance for the North-Linn boys' track team, which placed third in May's Class 1A state distance medley relay final.

'I think I can get to the hole pretty fast,” Rawson said. 'Once I'm in the hole, if I find open field I'm going to take advantage of it.”

The quarterback competition stands as a dead heat between junior Brandon Stepanek and sophomore Logan Novak.

'They've got basically the same skill set,” North-Linn Coach Jared Collum said. 'Novak has a little bit stronger arm and a little bit more accurate. As far as a running quarterback, I'd say they're about even. Maybe Novak's a little quicker. Stepanek still has the edge on him in decision making when it comes to our read-option type stuff.”

Whichever candidate wins the quarterback job, he should be well protected. The return of left guard Kyler Schott from injury makes four returning starters on the offensive line. The sophomore Schott (a heavyweight state wrestling qualifier in 1A) and seniors Isaac Syverson (left tackle) and CJ Houser (center) average 270 pounds, while junior Christian Moore is entrenched at right guard. Junior Kenny Bebensee (6-3, 280) is leading the competition for right tackle.

The runner-up in the quarterback battle figures to help junior Ben Wolff (101 yards) replace the graduation loss of Andrew McEvoy (408 yards, four TDs) at wide receiver.

The defense appears to be set, led by senior linebacker Clint Prier (39 tackles). After seeing time at linebacker last season, Rawson (32 tackles, 22 solo, 42-yard fumble return for TD) returns to his more natural position at strong safety. Linebacker Logan Bates won't be ready for the start of the season after being involved in a late July car accident.

North-Linn opens at Belle Plaine, its first matchup with the Plainsmen since 2008. Rival Alburnett visits Sep. 5 in the home opener at Walker.

'We hope to make it to the playoffs this year,” Rawson said. 'Our schedule's set up pretty well for us to do that. But for us to do that, we need to get the team rolling, so we need a couple of W's right off the bat.”

l Coach: Jared Collum (8th year, 21-43)

l Last year: 1-8

l Key returners: OL/DL CJ Houser, OL/DL Isaac Syverson, RB/DB Jacob Rawson, FB/LB Clinton Prier, RB/LB Logan Bates, WR/DB Brandon Stepanek, WR/DB Ben Wolff, OL/DL Christian Moore, OL/DL Kyler Schott

l Key losses: QB Jon Boss, WR Andrew McEvoy, RB Dillon Letts, OL/DL Nathan Holub, OL/DL Nic Peiffer

l Key to making playoffs: QB development and establishing running game.

l Game to watch: Week 2 home opener vs. Alburnett (Sep. 5)

Schedule

Aug. 29 - at Belle Plaine

Sept. 5 - Alburnett

Sept. 12 - Starmont

Sept. 19 - at Postville

Sept. 26 - Ed-Co

Oct. 3 - at Maq Valley

Oct. 10 - at Easton Valley

Oct. 17 - East Buchanan

Oct. 24 - at Lisbon

l Comments: douglas.miles@sourcemedia.net