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Linn-Mar rallies for emotional, last-minute victory over Cedar Falls
Dylan Muszynski’s touchdown and Bradley Duncan-Porter’s PAT with 16 seconds left power Lions to 28-27 win at the end of a tough week
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MARION — It has been a week filled with emotion for the Linn-Mar football team.
The death of former teammate Devin Woods, a 2024 graduate, on Tuesday left the team numb as it began preparation for Friday's Homecoming game with Cedar Falls.
“Tonight was bigger than a football game,” said Lions senior running back Dylan Muszynski. “This one was for Devin Woods. We know he was looking over us tonight. We miss him so much and we pray for his family.”
And with Muszynski leading the way, the Lions honored Woods’ memory with one of the most exciting victories in the 14-year history of Linn-Mar Stadium.
Muszynski’s fourth touchdown of the night, a 1-yard run with 16 seconds remaining, tied the score. Bradley Duncan-Porter’s PAT kick provided the winning margin as the No. 9 Lions rallied from a two-touchdown deficit to win, 28-27.
“We've learned a lot of resilience over the years,” said Muszynski, who carried the ball 32 times for 206 yards. “We have a lot of guys who are two- and three-year starters. We've been in this position before.”
Even in defeat last Friday at No. 3 Bettendorf, the Lions nearly rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final two minutes, having a chance at a tying field goal come up short on the final play of the game.
“We are so focused on right now,” said Linn-Mar Co-Coach Ben Martens. “These guys, they've had a rough week. A tough loss last week, then the added emotion (of Woods' death). They found a way to come together. I'm just so proud of them.”
Linn-Mar took an early 7-0 lead on a 53-yard scamper from Muszynski. Cedar Falls responded with two touchdown receptions from Will Remmert. The first came on a 17-yard pass from quarterback Leyton Wolf on the last play of the first quarter. The second was on the back end of a double pass where Wolf threw a lateral to Trey Reuter and he found Remmert wide open on a 38-yard pass for a score.
The Tigers led 14-7 at the break and increased the lead to two scores when Davarrion Clark, who had 226 rushing yards on 30 carries, broke loose for a 62-yard score on the first play of the second half.
No. 10 Cedar Falls (2-3) then appeared to be on the verge of taking total control of the game. The Tigers were driving inside the Lion 10 when Clark was rocked by Tyree Alons and fumbled. Tate McEowen recovered and the Lions had new life.
“The defense came through, they always do,” Martens said of the fumble and recovery. “We owed it to them to drive it down the field and score for them.”
Linn-Mar took it 91 yards with Muszynski finishing the drive with a 7-yard run. A two-point run attempt failed, leaving the Lions down 21-14 entering the fourth quarter. After the Lion defense stopped the Tigers, Muszynski scored again and his two-point run tied the game at 21 with 11:01 remaining.
The Tigers then mounted a long drive of their own. Wolf capped it off with a QB sneak with 3:03 remaining. However, Maverick Stapley broke through to block the extra point, leaving the score at 27-21.
The Lions (4-1) drove the ball down the field, but a personal foul penalty had them looking at a third-and-15 from 37 with under 30 seconds remaining. Quarterback Austin Waller dropped back and hit Landon Sorg with a throw down to the Tiger 4.
“Waller told me to go and he was going to put it right in my hands,” Sorg said. “He threw a beautiful pass and I was able to make the catch.”
Two plays later Muszynski scored the game-winner.
“These guys just play so hard for each other,” Martens said. “In the first half, we were sloppy, not trusting each other. In the second half, that trust showed up and look what happened.”
What happened was a win for the ages.
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