Iowa high school football rewind: Linn-Mar returns to Prairie for the playoffs

CEDAR RAPIDS — Linn-Mar and Cedar Rapids Prairie slugged it out in their regular-season finale.

Their reward? A chance to run it back for an encore performance on the same stage. This time is a win or go-home scenario.

The Lions and Hawks will face off two times in as many weeks, opening the first round of the Class 5A playoffs next Friday at John Wall Field. The Iowa High School Athletic Association released Round of 16 pairings for all classes Saturday.

Both teams are 6-3 after Linn-Mar’s 28-13 victory over Prairie Friday night.

“We are thrilled to have earned the opportunity to play one more week together,” Linn-Mar Coach Tim Lovell said in an email response to The Gazette. “Our seniors know their days are numbered, so this is a special time.

“The opponent, at this point doesn’t make a huge difference to us. We must show up ready to play. This is unscripted territory for us, but the task will be tough for both teams, in my opinion. I think Prairie will be highly motivated to prove the first game was a fluke, and we will be motivated to prove it was not.”

The Hawks finished seventh in the RPI standings. Despite the victory and the same record, Linn-Mar was 10th. The pairing matches the seeding, but pits teams against each other in consecutive weeks. Part of the slate was modified for travel considerations, sending No. 13 Sioux City East to No. 3 Ankeny instead of No. 4 Pleasant Valley, which hosts No. 14 West Des Moines Valley.

The resulted proved to be a moot point, unlike the early-season matchup between Cedar Rapids Washington and Marion. The Warriors jumped the Wolves for the final at-large bid in 4A by winning the Week 2 matchup and finishing within a spot in the RPI.

“The state needs to make up their mind about how head-to-head matters in the regular season,” Lovell said, “and decide if there needs to be a human element involved.”

Interestingly, this will be Linn-Mar’s third game at John Wall Field this season. The Lions hosted their game against Pleasant Valley at Prairie because of repairs to Linn-Mar’s turf field. Now, consecutive contests to bridge Week 9 and the postseason.

Benefits exist in playing a familiar foe.

“Schematically it allows you to tighten up some things on both sides of the ball and allows you to focus on the physical preparation side a little more,” Lovell said. “I’m really pleased we don’t have to travel across the state. There is an element of unknown that you can’t prepare for, but also you know what to expect in terms of how we need to play.”

Friday’s game wasn’t settled until the final two minutes when Linn-Mar was able to get a stop with a little more than two minutes left. The Lions held a 15-13 lead at halftime, shutting out the Hawks the final two quarters.

Linn-Mar had 215 yards of offense, including 117 rushing from Carter Henderson. Unofficially, the Hawks amassed 226 yards with 111 from running back Makelle Taylor.

“We’ve still got season left,” Prairie Coach Mark Bliss said after the game. “At times, we just couldn’t get out of our own way tonight. Some penalties on crucial downs, which is not good.”

Lovell said the Lions will take an underdog approach again this week. He expects an exciting environment and a hard-fought game.

“We won the game, so that is the first thing that helps,” Lovell said. “Confidence comes from winning. However, there is no time to settle down. Coach Bliss and his staff are tremendous at game planning, and they will be motivated and ready to play. The opportunity to move to the quarterfinals runs through Prairie, and they have earned the opportunity to host.”

Mount Vernon caps unbeaten regular season

Class 3A second-ranked Mount Vernon finished the regular season with a 9-0 mark with a 55-6 victory Friday at Vinton-Shellsburg. The Mustangs accomplished the feat for the first time since 2002.

The Mustangs totaled 435 yards of offense, including 282 passing. Quarterback Joey Rhomberg completed 23 of 28 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns. Ten Mount Vernon receivers caught at least one pass with Evan Brase leading the way with 71 yards on six catches.

The Mustangs were second in the 3A RPI, behind only defending state champion Harlan. They will host DeWitt Central (6-3) in the first round of the playoffs. The winner will face the winner between West Delaware (5-4) and Solon (7-2).

Alburnett and East Buchanan rematch

East Buchanan and Alburnett each won first-round playoff games Friday night. The eighth-ranked Buccaneers handled Lisbon, 44-14, at Winthrop. The Pirates topped Bellevue, 38-27, at home.

The Pirates were led by quarterback Mason Neighbor, who passed for 278 yards and four TDs against the Comets. The Buccaneers’ patented rush offense gained 444 yards against the Lions.

East Buchanan (8-1) handed Alburnett (8-1) its only loss, winning 34-27 at Alburnett in Week 4. The Buccaneers scored 28 second-half points and rushed for 428 yards.

The Buccaneers return back to Alburnett for a postseason game. The winner faces the winner of Columbus Community (8-1) and No. 2 Grundy Center (9-0) for a semifinal berth.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com