Linn-Mar gets needed bounce-back win

MARION — The Linn-Mar football team needed a bounce-back week.

After a 43-3 loss to Class 4A No. 2 Cedar Rapids Washington last week, for both morale and district standing purposes, the Lions needed to have a solid outing.

What they got was a 45-0 domination of Waterloo East – and that came while not even playing their best football.

'Yes, it certainly was (a bounce-back game),' said Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth. 'Any time you get a district win, you've got to be happy about it. We've got a lot of things to correct still, and that's something we're going to keep working on.

'We're happy about this.'

It's hard to look at a shutout in which starters only played three quarters as not their best football, but that's where Forsyth and his players stood after the game.

A few bad snaps and some breakdowns in offensive line play were what slowed the Lions (4-1, 1-0) early on. Obviously they were able to overcome that, led by quarterback Ryan Schmidt, who finished 10 of 19 for 126 yards and one touchdown, and carried 11 times for 78 yards and had three scores rushing.

Forsyth said it's both a relief and encouraging that his team could not play its best and still get a big win. He added there might have been some lingering effects from the loss to Washington, as well.

'Absolutely. Any time you can get a win, you've got to take it,' Forsyth said. 'We struggled with some things tonight, and I think maybe we had a little bit of a hangover still from last week. The game took a little bit out of us.

'Even though we warned them (about a hangover), we were a little flatfooted when we came out. But I don't see that being a problem anymore down the road. The kids will understand when we get back in the locker room.'

The Lions spread the ball around on the ground all night, with three players (including Schmidt) getting at least nine carries.

Perrion Scott led the way for Linn-Mar, with 10 carries for 93 yards. He had runs of 15, 18 and 36 on his first three, setting up touchdown scores for his teammates.

Schmidt, too, praised the Lions' defense for its efforts, and echoed his coach in knowing the team didn't play to its potential.

'We've just got to keep getting better, and it's always great to get a win even if you don't play your best,' Schmidt said. 'And anytime the defense gives up zero points, you're going to win that game.'

The one aspect to the game Forsyth had no reservations about at all was the play of receiver/defensive back Trevor Noble, who had two interceptions to go with one catch for 11 yards.

Forsyth said it was exciting to see a kid who works hard get rewarded with a celebratory mob by his teammates on the sideline after each pick.

'We were really excited for Trevor,' Forsyth said. 'He's really been playing well. We preach turnovers – we try like crazy to get turnovers (because) you have to get turnovers. He did a great job tonight.'

Even with a sluggish start, Forsyth and Co. aren't going to turn their noses up at the outcome.

Cherish every win, he said, because you don't know when the next one will come for sure.

'You don't get enough of these games,' Forsyth said. 'So when you win, you've got to be happy. And we're happy.'

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com