Heart, family lead Atwater to Coe

MARION -- Mark Atwater went with the heart. And his family.

Atwater, who led Linn-Mar to a Mississippi Valley Conference divisional title and an undefeated regular season, said Monday night that he will play football at Coe College.

"It really came down to the right fit for me," said Atwater, who will play quarterback for the Kohawks. "Coe was really tearing at my heart, and I knew it was the right fit for me.

"In the end, it came down to what I wanted to do."

Atwater's father, Larry, is the defensive coordinator at Coe and is fighting lymphoma.

The 2011 Gazette/KCRG area player of the year, Atwater was offered a spot at the University of Northern Iowa as a preferred walk-on. But family -- and his heart -- won out.

"This is the right spot for me," he said. "I know I'm going to be with good people. And I get to play quarterback."

Atwater accounted for 2,500 yards and 37 touchdowns last season as the Lions finished 10-1. He was fourth on the team in tackles.