Linn-Mar sets school scoring record as playoff hopes remain alive

MARION — The focus was there from start to finish.

When it was over on Friday night at Linn-Mar Stadium, the Lions had a record-setting 72-0 win over Davenport Central on Senior Night and an opportunity to earn a return trip to the Class 5A playoffs.

The point total broke the mark of 66 set in 1966 in a Linn-Mar win over Midland. It also set the stage for a showdown next Friday night at No. 10 Cedar Rapids Prairie.

The Hawks (6-2) already have a playoff berth in hand. Linn-Mar, which was No. 17 in the RPI entering this week, needs a win to be assured of a spot in the 16-team field. A loss could leave the Lions outside the top 16.

“It's basically a playoff game for us next week,” said senior running back Carter Henderson. “We have to have the focus we had this week in practice and be ready to go.”

Henderson and his teammates were ready from the start Friday night against the visiting Blue Devils (1-7). The Lions needed just three minutes to score their first of 10 touchdowns, that coming on a 39-yard pass from Austin Waller to Keaton Roskup.

“We had a really good week of practice,” said Linn-Mar Coach Tim Lovell. “After last week, when we struggled a little bit against Ottumwa, we challenged our players and they really responded.”

One player who has been coming on has been Henderson. He missed some time early due to injury, but has been getting stronger each week. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior had scoring runs of 11, 29 and 42 yards in the first half as the Lions built a 51-0 lead at intermission.

He finished with 116 yards on seven carries, pushing his season total to 711 yards and 12 touchdowns. For Linn-Mar to make a run into the playoffs, Henderson will be counted on to carry a big load.

“I definitely am feeling a lot better after going through rehab,” Henderson said. “I feel like I am back at 100 percent.”

Henderson was one of three Lion tailbacks to score. Senior Aiden Mesch scored on a 25-yard run in the first half while junior Brighton Glaspie had TD runs of 3 and 40 yards in the second half as Lovell got all his players into the game. Glaspie finished with 100 yards on nine carries.

Linn-Mar also got TDs from Hayden Thoms (1-yard run), TJ Jackson (11-yard pass from backup QB Abe Behning) and Reid Recker (64-yard interception return).

The Lions held Davenport Central to 130 total yards and just six first downs. Kade Jesse had a pair of interceptions.

Lovell knows it will be a challenge next Friday against a Prairie team that has won the last five games in the series. The last Lions win over the Hawks was a 35-9 decision in 2014.

“We have to show up physically ready to play,” Lovell said. “That has been our Achilles' heel against them. We know what we are getting, big, physical football players that are skilled on the edges.

“I'm excited for the opportunity. It's all in our hands and that's all you can ask is to have the chance.”