LINN — Linn’s defense continued to make strides Friday, allowing Windsor two offensive touchdowns in an 18-0 loss while the Wildcats continue working to find their footing on the other side of the ball.

“Nine guys within five yards of the football 90% of the time — it’s what we preach,” said Coach Billy “Sonny” Sonnemaker. “Coach K, Coach Joey, and Coach Mahoney love preaching that at practice, and they do such a great job.”

Windsor finished with 271 yards of offense, including 180 on the ground and 91 through the air, but Linn repeatedly kept the Greyhounds from turning those yards into points.

The Wildcats stopped Windsor on downs at the Linn 29 in the first quarter, then came up with another defensive stand when Landon Brown recovered a fumble at the 2 in the second.

Field position eventually caught up with Linn, however, as Windsor recorded a safety for the first two points of the game.

The Greyhounds did not reach the end zone until 12 seconds remained in the first half, scoring through the air before Linn stopped the two-point attempt to make it 8-0 at halftime.

A second safety pushed Windsor’s advantage to 10-0 in the third before the Greyhounds added a 2-yard touchdown run and conversion for the final margin.

“We held Windsor to 18 points,” Sonnemaker noted. “We’ll call it 14, if you will, if you take away those two safeties. We’re getting there.”

The offense remains further behind in the rebuilding process.

Linn finished with 71 total yards, including 35 rushing yards on 25 attempts and 36 passing yards on seven attempts.

“We just haven’t hit our stride yet,” Sonnemaker explained. “Like I said, we’re Bambi.”

The comparison reflects a group that is still learning the footwork, timing, and communication required by Linn’s zone-blocking scheme. Sonnemaker said even some of the upperclassmen remain relatively young in terms of football experience.

The Wildcats also continue ironing out quarterback rhythm, motions, and other details before the snap.

“That’s the hardest part about this, being a young football team,” Sonnemaker said. “We’re still going through all these lumps.”

There were glimpses of what Linn hopes the offense can become. Paul Lopez broke a screen for a sizable gain after the Wildcats had spent time working on the play in practice, and Linn also found ways to get him the ball on its rocket toss.

Sonnemaker acknowledged there were situations in which the coaching staff could have helped Lopez more.

“We probably should have sent him to the field instead of the boundary and let him get loose a little bit, so I can take the blame on a couple of those,” he said.

Some of Linn’s repetition offensively is by design.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Sonnemaker said. “We’re like Novocaine. We’re a tempo offense. We’re going to use all 40 seconds of that.”

That pace gives the coaching staff time to see how a defense is aligned and make decisions designed around what Linn’s players can execute.

While the offense may appear simple from the stands, Sonnemaker said considerably more is happening up front. The same basic play can be run from numerous formations and looks, placing much of the responsibility on an offensive line that must recognize and adjust together.

“We’re trying to get five kids to play as one,” he explained. “It’s the only position on the field where you’ve got to have five guys that think as one and have one heartbeat.”

Several linemen also play on defense, adding another challenge as the Wildcats try to put together a complete game.

“They work hard, and they do really, really well,” Sonnemaker said. “They’re the tip of the spear.”

Despite the growing pains, Sonnemaker remains convinced Linn is building toward a breakthrough.

“Once they’re 100% confident in the techniques and they believe in themselves, we’re going to fly,” he noted. “We’ve got so much potential. It just keeps building and building, and I can’t wait for it to finally pop.”

The Wildcats continue that work with strong community support behind them.

Friday’s game included recognition of first responders and youth football players, the full band marching, a packed home side, and another heavily attended pregame tailgate.

For Sonnemaker, that support makes the desire to deliver Linn’s first victory since football returned even stronger.

“We really want to get this town a W,” he said. “They’ve blessed this team so much. That’s something we remind the kids every day — look around, because this was all done by the community.”

While the scoreboard has not yet provided the result Linn wants, Sonnemaker believes the progress extends beyond wins and losses.

“I hope they see that their kids are getting better,” he added. “We are holding them to a standard, and we are holding them accountable. They are growing in the classroom and growing on the field, communicating, and becoming better men.”

The Wildcats remain young and unfinished, but Sonnemaker sees the culture beginning to take hold.

“There’s a lot of positive stuff going on,” he said. “We want wins. I know people want wins, and everybody’s anxious for wins, but we’re getting there. Stay with us and stay the course.”