High school football rewind: North Linn knocks off Class A No. 1 Maquoketa Valley, 16-0

North Linn Coach Jared Collum wasn’t certain the last time the Lynx knocked off a top-ranked opponent, or if it has ever happened.

He knows the answer after Friday night.

North Linn meshed a stout defense with two first-half touchdowns for a 16-0 victory over No. 1 Maquoketa Valley in a Class A District 4 high school football game at Delhi.

“I’m really happy with how the kids played, especially defensively,” Collum said. “Our (defensive) line played lights out. Those guys are pretty good.”

Collum praised the defensive front, including defensive ends Jack Gericke and Landon Mertens and linemen Aiden Parmater, Jacoby Peyton and Logan Miller. They recorded eight of the team’s nine tackles for loss. Gericke led the way with 3.5 and had North Linn’s lone sack.

“We knew we were going to be pretty good up front, defensively,” said Collum, noting Parmater is the heaviest at 240 pounds and others range from 190 to 205. “They’re athletes and all weight room junkies. I don’t think any of them missed a single day the entire summer.

“They’re lean, strong and can run. I think it’s an advantage for us because we like to play fast.”

The Lynx had a bend-but-don’t-break mentality. Maquoketa Valley, which was missing all-state quarterback Brady Wall, still managed 237 yards of offense, including 155 passing. The Wildcats drove deep into Lynx territory but couldn’t finish drives.

“The got inside the red zone three times and inside the 10 twice,” Collum said. “We held them out. Our defense was tough.”

North Linn (2-0) made two Will Sommerfelt touchdown runs hold. Sommerfelt capped the opening possession of the game with a 1-yard TD run and followed with a conversion pass to Waylon Raue for an 8-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Maquoketa Valley (1-1) was forced to punt from its own end zone. Sommerfelt caught a short punt on the run and returned it 17 yards to the Wildcats 15. Sommerfelt added a 2-yard TD run and conversion pass to Braden Wheatley.

“We just punched it in there,” Collum said. “The rest was a defensive battle.”

The Lynx cleared a tall hurdle in the district race that includes No. 9 Wapsie Valley. They have high aspirations and the victory fueled the fire.

“It’s early but this is a huge win,” Collum said. “Our goal is always to place in the top for but our goal is to win the district. I think we put ourselves in a pretty good spot. We just have to go back to work.”

MARION DROPS CPU, 21-12

The Wolves rushed for 230 yards and three touchdowns, including two in the third quarter, for a 21-12 comeback victory over Center Point-Urbana at home.

Landon Tilkes powered Marions rush attack. He amassed 128 yards with a 17-yard TD on 16 carries. Colton Taylor had 66 yards and a score and Kolby Beltz added a rushing TD.

Center Point-Urbana (0-2) held a 12-7 halftime lead but the Wolves defense didn’t allow a point the final two quarters. Marion tallied 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and four turnovers, including three fumbles.

Marion hosts Davenport North for Homecoming in Week 3.

VINTON-SHELLSBURG SNAPS LOSING STREAK

Vinton-Shellsburg snapped a 22-game losing streak with a 41-20 win over Jesup Friday night at Vinton. The victory avenged a 21-point loss to the J-Hawks a year ago.

The Vikings (1-1) took control with a 21-point second quarter for a 28-7 halftime lead. They pulled away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, earning their first win since a 41-0 triumph over Maquoketa on Sept. 23, 2022.

Vikings quarterback Colt Koeppen passed for 194 yards and five touchdowns, connecting with Jacoby Johnson nine times for 99 yards and three TDs including a 35-yard score. Colson Chvala had a rushing and receiving touchdown for the Vikings.

LIGHTNING STRIKES DOWN RAMS

Iowa City Liberty exacted revenge Friday night at Southeast Polk. The Lightning topped the four-time defending Class 5A state campions, 38-20, in Runnells, avenging a loss to the Rams in the 2024 state semifinal.

Liberty (2-0) shut out SE Polk the first three quarters, enacting a running clock with a 38-0 lead.

The Lightning hosts Linn-Mar for Homecoming in Week 3.

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