Linn-Mar’s Carson Luense merges brains and brawn as defensive leader

MARION — Brains and brawn.

Linn-Mar linebacker Carson Luense possesses plenty of both, merging them to excel in the classroom and on the football field.

Luense’s mix of intelligence, instinct and intensity has created a defensive leader for the Class 5A No. 6 Lions. He is Linn-Mar’s top tackler for the second straight season, tallying more than double than any teammate entering Friday night’s home game against Davenport West.

“Carson is the smartest linebacker I’ve been around in my coaching career,” Linn-Mar co-head coach Ben Martens said. “He puts in the work but he can diagnose and plays and make reads at a pretty quick clip, putting himself in a good position. With the classes he’s taking, you can tell he’s very intelligent and that also translates to the field.”

Luense is a three-year starter. He jumped into the lineup as a sophomore, finishing third on the team with 36 total tackles and fourth with 24 solo stops. Luense understood the opportunity came with challenges, so he turned to the mental aspects to be his best. He studied film and workout repetitions to help him visualize opponents’ offenses, replaying it in his mind before kickoff.

“I just go through all the plays that I've seen in on the practice field in my head," Luense said. "It's like a whole memory thing and that helps me really play fast. Again, it’s film study and practice.

“I play a lot of scout team, so I play the other team’s defense, too. That helps me get the looks and just a lot of ways that I can get off blockers. It gives me a lot of experience."

Luense posted a 4.3 grade-point average last year and has a 4.06 this semester, taking advanced placement and college-level courses. He plans to study exercise science and kinesiology in college, aspiring to play football and possibly also throw discus.

Offenses become more complex. Teams use shifts, misdirection and other schemes to confuse defenders. Luense bridges his aptitude in academics with his athletics. He’s not the only Lion to do it.

“The other middle linebacker here that I play with, Parker Gasper, he's also a very good student,” Luense said. “We're both students of the game and that's what I feel makes us such good linebackers as we’re able to break things down so well that we can just see things that other people may not.”

Don’t be mistaken. Luense isn’t all finesse and no fight. The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder doesn’t shy away from contact. Luense actually considered his physical play his biggest improvement since his sophomore season.

Although Luense is versatile and can play the pass, he prefers running forward and attacking ball carriers.

“Usually, when you’re that smart, you don’t want to run into other people on purpose,” Martens said. “He’s got no problem doing it.”

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Luense actually thrives. He has tallied 43 tackles, 24 solo and five for a loss. Teammate Tate McEowen is a distant second with 20.5 total tackles and 12 solo. Luense is closing in on his team-best total of 58.5 and 39 solo last season. His five tackles for loss is already a season-high.

“Well, I can't take credit for all that,” Luense said. “I've got a great defensive line. I've had it for all three years. I can't complain one bit, but it's also film study and just knowing my opponent that makes me lethal on the defensive side.”

Luense said he doesn’t get stronger as the season progresses but his numbers jump because he’s mentally stronger due to more experience. He has paced Linn-Mar in each of the last four games, including wins over Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Cedar Falls and Muscatine. Luense had 7.5 in a 27-24 loss to No. 3 Bettendorf and is coming off a 10.5-tackle outing with seven solo against the Muskies.

Luense has a nose for the football and a knack for making plays.

“If we’re in a tough spot, we can assume he is going to be a part of the play,” Martens said. “He’s just that guy.”

Football started as another sport to try in fourth grade. Luense instantly fell in love with it. He discovered he can marry effort with enjoyment, flashing a wry smile to Martens when he has gotten the better of the offense. It’s part of his dry sense of humor.

“I have fun at practice,” Luense said. “I've been playing football since fourth grade. My dad has told me always have fun and that's what I do every practice. If I can have fun and also be good, then it's going to be a positive thing for the team.”

Success has come from his work ethic, taking a business-like attitude to the classroom, weight room, film room and field. Martens said Luense is steady in everything he does.

“He’s a good kid to be around,” Martens said. “He’s a hard worker. He studies the game. He understands it at a higher level than most and can apply his physical gifts to it. It’s a lot of fun to watch.”

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Luense is among a large group of seniors that has elevated Linn-Mar into the rankings. Linn-Mar’s strong season has produced a 5-1 record entering this week’s game against the winless Falcons at Linn-Mar Stadium.

The final two regular-season games consist of Iowa City High (4-2) at home and on the road at No. 4 Pleasant Valley (5-1).

“I feel like we’re in a good place and it’s been a good week,” Martens said. “Some of these dreams and goals are within reach. Now, it’s a matter of keep ramping up and getting better every day.

“Let’s put ourselves in a position to achieve some of those things we’ve been talking about for one, two and three years for some of them.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com