New names, new faces at Linn-Mar

MARION -- Sure, Bob Forsyth likes the competitive rush of Friday nights.The preseason? That's fun, too."This is a part of coaching I like, forming the team," Forsyth said during the first week of football practice at Linn-Mar High School.He should really like this season, then. Mark Atwater, Mitch Wantock, Andy Henry: All graduated. So are the vast majority of the pieces that produced a 10-1 record and a Mississippi Valley Conference divisional championship.In their place, a lot of question marks, just waiting to be molded into another winning team.Only three players -- Nick Trabucco, Zach Winters and Justin Green -- were big contributors last year. Now, they're the leaders as Linn-Mar tries to remain among the MVC's elite.It's a different approach than 2008, when Forsyth came to Linn-Mar, just trying to get the program off the ground. The last four years have netted a 30-12 record."Every year is a challenge," Forsyth said. "Right now, we just need to keep finding what everybody's role is going to be."So far, I've seen big progress."Trabucco spent much of last season as a fullback/linebacker combo. On offense, he opened holes for Atwater and Wantock, though he did compile 258 yards (7.2 per carry).Now, he's the featured back."I'm very excited to get some tailback reps," said Trabucco, who also collected 56 tackles last season. "I don't care about how many yards I get. Winning games in the No. 1 thing with me."Junior Ross Lembeck (16 carries, 114 yards) also will get his carries.Martins was the No. 2 receiver last year, catching 12 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns.He'll be the primary option for quarterback Rhys Davis, a third-stringer last year who ran the JV team."(Davis is) coming around," Martins said. "He throws a real nice ball. (Assistant) coach Matt Casebolt knows how to get him in shape. He started simple, then opened it up."It's a transitional year at Linn-Mar, to be sure. A rebuilding year, probably.But Forsyth doesn't think it will be a down year. The aims remain the same."Our No. 1 goal is to be the champion of the conference. We are in defense of that," he said. "If we are the champions of this conference, that means we are a very good football team, and everything else takes care of itself."The Lions open Aug. 24 at home against Iowa City West, a 4A state quarterfinalist last season.They won't always be the most talented team, but ..."We pride ourselves on being the most physical team on the field," Trabucco said. "We'll go as hard as we can, every play."

LINN-MAR, at a glance

Coach: Bob Forsyth (5th year at Linn-Mar, 30-12)

Last year's record: 10-1 overall, 6-0 MVC Mississippi Division (1st), 4A second round

Key losses: QB/LB Mark Atwater, RB/LB Mitch Wantock, WR/DB/KR Andy Henry, DB Tommy Feller

Key returners: RB/LB Nick Trabucco, WR Zach Martins, Justin Green

Key to making playoffs: Finding roles for the new faces, winning the games they should, holding serve at home. Making the playoffs shouldn't be an issue. It's more of a question of whether the Lions can secure home field for Round 1.

Game to watch: The opener at home against highly regarded Iowa City West on Aug. 24 will be a good early gauge as to where the Lions are.

Schedule:Aug. 24 -- Iowa City West (home)Aug. 31 -- at Dubuque SeniorSept. 7 -- at Waterloo WestSept. 14 -- Cedar Rapids Washington (home)Sept. 21 -- Cedar Falls (home)Sept. 28 -- at Dubuque WahlertOct. 5 -- Cedar Rapids Prairie (home)Oct. 12 -- Iowa City High (home)Oct. 19 -- at Cedar Rapids Xavier

Roster:3 Austin Wolter, jr.11 Rhys Davis, sr.12 Matthew Ramsey, jr.15 Austin Burbridge, sr.16 Mason Renner, sr.18 Benjamin Pritchard, sr.20 Jordan Lewis, jr.22 Zach Martins, sr.23 Trey Voves, jr.28 Nick Trabucco, sr.32 Beau Oberbroeckling, jr.34 Robert Costler, sr.35 Ross Lembeck, jr.41 Ryan Wirth, sr.45 Jeremy Reid, sr.46 Lucas Meyer, sr.54 Justin Putz, jr.55 Riley McGovern, jr.56 Michael Ebeling, sr.58 Max Kritzman, sr.58 Dustin Crawford, sr.63 Tyler Kane, sr.67 Jeremiah Fuller, sr.67 Jackson Jacobs, jr.68 Ted Lehew, sr.69 Keegan Pree, sr.70 Justin Green, sr.72 Andrew Holladay, jr.72 Ben Overdyk, sr.80 Dakota Digmann, sr.80 Dane Schaffer, jr.81 Steven Mercil, sr.84 Brandon Jeffries, sr.85 Andrew Prowse, sr.87 Luke Wempen, sr.