Prep football Rewind, Week Three: Lions mature in first win of the season

Consider it a coming-of-age-moment for the Linn-Mar Lions.They experienced the good then the bad, and learned how to win.The Lions rebounded from two tough losses to claim their first win of the season, thumping Waterloo West, 59-35, in a Mississippi Valley Conference game Friday night at Linn-Mar. They are 1-2 overall, but 1-0 in the MVC Valley Division.Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth said the team demonstrated improvements to the mental aspects of the game against the Wahawks (1-2). He wouldn't go so far to say the team turned a corner and a lot of work remains."We're happy with the progress we're making," Forsyth said. "That's the biggest thing."The Lions have nine juniors starting on each side of the ball, according to Forsyth. Many are receiving a trial by fire. They realized  they can't sit on a big lead with an entire half remaining."When you have kids that haven't played in a varsity game, every situation is new," Forsyth said. "We didn't come out and put the game away in the second half. That's a maturity thing."They responded when their 42-6 halftime lead shrunk to 49-27 in the third. Forsyth said the Lions were caught flat-footed and then had to fight back. Sometimes that is a good test for a young team."We had a lot of kids grow up (Friday) night," Forsyth said. "We have to keep it going."Linn-Mar showed flashes of a fast-paced high-powered offense. They seemed to get the hang of the no-huddle offense, running a whopping 43 plays in the first quarter.Ross Lembeck had more than 173 total yards, including 134 on the ground, and rushed for four touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Schmidt threw for 313 yards, 136 to Griffin Brennecke, and three touchdowns."Ross Lembeck is a leader by example. He is playing both ways," Forsyth said. "Ryan has a better command of the offense. We're getting all that going."The Lions will return to work for rival game against Cedar Rapids Washington (0-3) next week. Motivation will be supplied naturally. Maintaining momentum is easier said than done."If it was written in a book I'd just read that chapter and we'd do it," Forsyth said with a laugh. We're going to try to build off it. We're going to try to teach them ...we have to focus on it."

Dixon diagnosisThe test results were probably the best possible news Class 1A top-ranked Iowa City Regina and its starting running back Riley Dixon could have received.Dixon went down near the end of the first half of Friday night's 41-16 home win over No. 9 West Branch. The senior running back was helped off the field by staff with his left sock and shoe removed. He did not return and was in street clothes, using crutches and wearing a boot after the game. Dixon said he was going for x-rays following the game.Regina Coach Marv Cook told The Gazette in a phone interview Saturday morning that the injury may not bad as expected."The X-ray was negative," Cook said. "We'll treat it like a bad sprain."Cook was somewhat relieved that Dixon didn't have his final prep season cut short to injury. Dixon had rushed for 146 yards before getting hurt and has 423 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He has added 113 receiving yards, including a 10-yard score in the season opener against West Liberty.Cook said he anticipates Dixon could miss some time, including Week 4 game at Eddyville-Blakesburg. He said he would expect Dixon to remain in a boot, even though he has not confirmed that with Dixon or medical staff. Cook said Dixon will have to pass three steps before  a return, including an evaluation from trainers, being able to regain mobility and stability and being able to sustain contact safely. It will be handled week-to-week.Some relief can be found in the fact that Dixon has a chance to come back, instead of facing a season-ending injury."It's obviously good news," Cook said. "We'll have to go through the process with doctors and trainers to get healthy."Jake Brinkman and Michael Adam will have a bigger role in the run game, according to Cook. Michael Cooper is the team's third-leading rusher behind Dixon and quarterback Drew Cook.

Bobcats prevailBenton Community has already matched its win total from a year ago. The Bobcats snapped a six-game losing skid and participated in ringing of the victory bell tradition after its 21-14 victory over Clear Creek Amana at Tiffin.Benton sophomore Gage Hartl rushed for one touchdown and threw for another, and Ben Twedt lead that Bobcats with 80 rushing yards, including a 5-yard touchdown. Owen Hopkins caught all four of Hartl's completions for 97 yards, including a 29-yard score. Hopkins also scored a 2-point conversion for Benton, which improves to 1-2 and hosts DeWitt Central next week in Van Horne.

 This and that*-Union Community's NCAA Division I recruit Jay Scheel threw for six touchdowns and ran for another, powering the Class 2A fifth-ranked Knights to a 61-6 win over Central Springs. Scheel finished with 225 passing yards.*-North Fayette Valley, the new consolidation of the North Fayette and Valley Community football programs, remained perfect. The Tigerhawks (3-0) whipped Denver, 38-3, in a 1A District 4 contest. Josh Mackey led the way with 205 rushing yards and three TDs. North Fayette Valley hosts No. 10 Saint Ansgar (3-0) next week.*-Mount Vernon handed eighth-ranked Dyersville Beckman its second straight loss and first by a 2A school. The Mustangs won, 29-20, improving to 2-1 overall.