Knake hopes to play, keep Lisbon's magical season going

LISBON - He had to use crutches to leave the field last Friday night. Yet Ben Knake hopes to play Saturday morning.

Ah, the recuperative powers of youth.

The Lisbon quarterback feared the worst when he injured his knee early in Lisbon's 20-7 win over Lone Tree in a Class A state playoff quarterfinal. The official diagnosis was a sprained MCL, with a week of physical therapy enough to make Knake optimistic he'll be on the field when the top-ranked Lions play No. 3 Mason City Newman in a semifinal at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

“I'm doing fine,” Knake said. “I'm walking on it fine and everything. I'll just wear a brace and go play.”

Or so he hopes. Knake has been a big factor for his 12-0 team, combining for 1,329 yards rushing and passing and ranking sixth defensively in tackles (as a safety).

If he can't go, the QB duties will fall to fellow senior Tait Simpson. He has been Lisbon's top running back, leading the team in rushing, but has experience as a signal caller.

“(Knake's injury) is a concern, but I played quarterback all last year,” Simpson said. “I know the plays, I've played quarterback, so we'll be fine.”

“I was kind of worried at first,” Knake said. “It was really hard to watch them play and not have any direct impact on the game ... I'd say I'm probably about 90 to 95 percent healthy right now.”

Lisbon averages 49.5 points per game, but its defense also has played a huge role in this historic season. This is the Lions' first trip to the state semifinals.

Lisbon is allowing just 5.8 points, throwing six shutouts, if you will. Newman (11-1) always plays power football, with tight line splits and formations, using the dive and counter as its main plays.

The Knights' lone loss was early in the season to Saint Ansgar, 21-0, a team that is in the Class 1A semifinals. Sophomore Joe Burgmeier leads the ground attack with 1,498 yards and 24 touchdowns.

“A very special season. Amazing,” Knake said. “Hopefully we'll keep it going two more games.”