Linn-Mar will be a mix of old, new this fall

MARION - Linn-Mar's 'meet the team night” will be important, because there will be plenty of new Lions on the field this fall.

The familiar faces, however, will be responsible to lead the way.

Linn-Mar returns just seven letterwinners from last season and will try to mesh them with a group of eager green players to earn another trip to the playoffs. The Lions begins the season at home Friday against Cedar Rapids Prairie.

The majority of the 44-player roster will be asked to take on bigger roles and the coaching staff will place the pieces together.

'We just get the guys we have and work them the best we can and fit them in the best place we can for them to help us,” said Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth, who guided the Lions to a 9-2 mark in 2014. 'I think we have a bunch of inexperienced guys, but hungry.”

The Lions are a work in progress, not only through the preseason but also during the first weeks of the regular season. The key is constant improvement.

'If we don't get better each day then we are getting behind,” Linn-Mar senior Samuel Bries said. 'We need to kick into high gear. We just have to work really hard.”

The Lions only have 535 total yards of offensive production and a little more than 110 total tackles back. A core of seniors have the intangibles that could make up for the lack of statistics.

Bries and Dallas McFarland, running back/linebacker Logan Hagmeier and wide receiver/linebacker Daniel Gorsich will provide the example to follow.

'They are guys who had big roles last year and have been on the team,” Forsyth said. 'We are asking kids to watch them and how they practice, prepare and get ready. We're going to count on them to lead the way.”

Bries and McFarland are linemen, Hagmeier will be an integral part of the defense and Gorsich is top returner in yardage from last year. They have a strong work ethic, leading by example.

'They are all great guys,” McFarland said. 'Every day they come out here and work their butt off. They aren't the most vocal guys, but lead with their actions every single play. They go start to finish. They are the most hardworking guys I have played with.”

McFarland stood on a blocking sled, barking out orders at teammates before the start of practice. The younger and inexperienced players are soaking up everything the letterwinners and coaches throw at them.

'They are very coachable,” McFarland said of the newcomers. 'If they mess up, they will listen to you and take inasmuch as they can to make sure they get it right the next time.”

Gorsich had 202 receiving yards with a touchdown as a junior, adding 130 yards and two scores on the ground. Forsyth said he is excited to see a bigger role for Gorsich. He will be asked to run, catch, defend and play special teams.

'He's a motivated kid,” Forsyth said. 'He doesn't get tired easily.

'He's going to do a lot of stuff for us. He's going to work a lot on Friday nights.”

One of the biggest pair of cleats to fill is at quarterback. Ryan Schmidt, who joined the University of Iowa program this fall, compiled almost 2,200 yards passing and rushing. Nolan Hollinger, who completed a pass for 22 yards last year, and junior Reese Phillips look to take over that position.

'We have a young quarterback in Reese Phillips, who has been really coming on and like what he does,” Forsyth said. 'We have a Nolan Hollinger, who was Ryan's backup, so we have good depth.

'It remains to be seen. It will become clear as we go along.”

The Lions want to prove what they are made of, including the ability to reload instead of having to rebuild. The system is in place, so players are ready to perform when they hit the field. The goal remains a district title.

'I don't think it really matters if there are new people,” Bries said. 'In the program, coaches know what they are doing and it doesn't matter who we have.

'Whoever can do the job will do it.”

LINN-MAR, at a glance

Coach: Bob Forsyth (8th year, 48-23)

Last year: 9-2, 4A playoffs qualifier (beat Davenport Central, lost to Iowa City West, 38-34, in the second round)

Returning letterwinners: Daniel Gorsich, sr., Logan Hagmeier, sr., Zach Luehring, sr., Shea Hartzler, sr., Samuel Bries, sr., Dallas McFarland, sr., Devon Green, sr.

Key losses: Ryan Schmidt, Perrion Scott, Logan Benter, Trevor Noble, Logan Nelsen, Austin McCulloh, Trevor Noble, Tylor Newhouse, Zach Huffman, Lotukalafi Ahomana

Key to making the playoffs: The Lions lost a lot of players to graduation and only return seven letterwinners from last season. The experienced players will need to bring along the younger players. Their progress will factor in to whether the Lions reach the playoffs. With such a small number of experienced players, keeping starters healthy will be key.

Games to watch: Week 2 and 3 against Pleasant Valley and Clinton will be a good indication on how the young players are stepping into the lineup. District games against Cedar Rapids Kennedy will be a stiff test. The Lions finish against Waterloo West and Cedar Rapids Jefferson, determining playoff spots.

Schedule (*district game)

Aug. 28 - Cedar Rapids Prairie

Sept. 4 - at Pleasant Valley

Sept. 11 - Clinton

Sept. 17 - at Cedar Rapids Washington

Sept. 25 - *at Waterloo East

Oct. 2 - *Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Oct. 9 - *at Cedar Falls

Oct. 16 - *Waterloo West

Oct. 22 - *at Cedar Rapids Jefferson

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com