Atwater comfortable with rare dual role with Lions

MARION – Mark Atwater has two distinct personalities, and Friday nights are a perfect time to exhibit both of them.

The Linn-Mar senior has a more reserved, methodical side that suits him well as a starting quarterback. A wilder version that can let loose fits perfectly at linebacker. He has balanced the unique position combination, powering the Lions on both sides of the ball.

“I love playing linebacker and quarterback,” Atwater said. “I wouldn't even imagine anything else. It's just who I am. It's just what I want to do. I want to be out there every second to help my teammates and help my team win.”

Linn-Mar has made winning a habit under head coach Bob Forsyth and Atwater and the Lions attempt to claim a third straight postseason appearance. Linn-Mar opens with Cedar Rapids Jefferson on Aug. 26 at Kingston Stadium.

Atwater is a rare talent that is capable handling a finesse position like quarterback and the physical demands at linebacker at the same time. The Lions need him in both roles, according to Forsyth.

“Bottom line is he wouldn't want it any other way,” said Forsyth, who is in his fourth year as head coach. “You only see a guy like him every once in awhile. Not everybody could do it and we wouldn't ask everybody to do it.”

Not everyone can produce the same numbers as Atwater, who is the son of Coe football's defensive coordinator and former Kohawk wrestling coach Larry Atwater. He amassed 1,605 passing yards with 20 touchdowns, completing more than half of his attempts. He added 744 yards on the ground and nine TDs. He was second in combined offensive yards, finishing a close second to all-state QB Andrew McNulty of Iowa City High.

As a linebacker, Atwater tallied 85 tackles, including 54 solo and five for loss. He also grabbed one interception.

“He's a coach's kid. He really understands football,” Forsyth said. “He's a mentally and physically tough kid. He has to be to do it.”

The toughest aspect is taking hits, especially when Atwater prefers to deliver them on defense. Atwater, a stronger runner than passer, said he takes pride that he pops back to his feet after a hit and tries to make defenders pay for a tackle.

“It's weird for me because on defense I'm the one trying to make these hits,” Atwater said. “Sometimes I try to show I'm the aggressor and put my head down.”

All that contact and time on the field can take a toll on the body. Forsyth said they enter each game with a plan for how much time Atwater plans, admitting sometimes it isn't followed based on the score. He hasn't considered limiting or changing his positions, and when a kid wants to play it is better to let him. Atwater doesn't feel the effects during competition.

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“After the game it hits you, but the adrenaline's rushing and you don't even think about it,” Atwater said. “You get tired, yes, but you don't feel it until later Friday night.”

Like many other two-way players, stamina is important for Atwater. He finds himself at the heart of almost every play for the Lions, especially on offense when he has his hands on the ball nearly each snap. He credits the coach's offseason conditioning program, preparing for the season, but does more to ensure he can be a leader whenever the Lions need him.

“I try to take it upon myself to run a little bit extra and push a little bit harder than the normal amount of running to make sure I'm in the top shape I can be so I'll be able to play every single play that I need to.”

The Lions have a strong senior class, which entered high school during Forsyth's first year at the helm. They have contributed to Linn-Mar's turnaround, posting at least eight wins each of the last two seasons after only winning 14 total games from 2001-2007.

“Those guys were incoming freshmen our first year, so they were trying to figure out everything and so were we,” Forsyth said. “This is a really special group for us. We're excited that they're here at this point and excited to work with them. We're anxious to see them play.”

The fact they are the first class to play all four years under Forsyth isn't lost on them either. Atwater recalled Forsyth's first message and the tight-knit group – starters and reserves alike – responded by giving the effort needed to become successful.

“Everyone of us is invested in what he laid out there that first day freshman year,” Atwater said. “It was going to take hard work to build things back. All 34 of us have put in the time to be at the point we are and we want to keep pushing.”

Other senior leaders include linebacker Mitch Wantock, wide receiver/linebacker Colton Sanchez and lineman A.J. Garcia. They should be solid in the trenches and on defense, returning their top three tacklers and four of their top seven from a year ago.

“The line is probably the most experience place behind our linebackers,” Forsyth said. “We only lost one kid off the line last year.”

They will be blocking for Atwater and a running back trying to fill the huge shoes of all-stater Jer Garman, for more than 1,600 yards and 26 TDs in 2010. Forsyth said Wantock and senior Brandon Ophoff are the top two candidates to take over ball-carrying duties.

Forsyth recognizes the potential in this year's squad to continue the Lions' recent winning ways. The key is to keep improving throughout the season.

“In a lot of ways, I think we're doing a lot of things better than we ever have since I've been here,” said Forsyth, who has a 20-11 record at Linn-Mar. “We have to get better at a lot of things, so we're progressing and that is what's important to us.”