Linn head football coach Steve Samson knew Tipton would be tough, but did not expect a 77-6 loss on Friday. “I thought we would come out and play better defense than that,” he said. “We practiced all week about lining up properly, and on the first play, they shifted their line and we did not shift with them, so our alignment was off, and it went downhill quickly after that.”

Samson added that the Cardinals didn’t do anything different than they have in previous games. “We, as coaches, have been preaching about aligning properly on defense, getting a charge and taking on blocks, and of course, tackling.”

Tipton took advantage of the opportunity and scored 45 points in the first quarter. By halftime, it was 65-0.

In the third, however, the Wildcats scored on a 69-yard TD. After a couple of plays that might have led to scoring were thwarted, the coaches discussed it during halftime. “We came out and executed the play the way we can,” said Samson. “Hunter (Bish) put the ball where it was needed, Aaden (Nelson) made the catch, and outran the defense.”

Bish went 7-11 for 120 yards and a TD, while Craig Laughlin added four catches for 24 yards, and Preston Keilholz (15) and Knox Sowders (12) each had a reception.

On the ground, Sowders posted 42 yards on six carries with a long of 35, as Nelson had 28 yards on four rushes, with Tommy Scheulen (9 for 22 yards), and Bish (1 for 12 yards) adding to the tally.

Defensively, Jake Bish (TFL) and Jason Greer led with four tackles apiece, Joe Brandt added three, Landon Brown had two, and Connor Bailey finished with one.

“We have to start taking what we practice during the week and transferring it to the game field on Friday nights,” said Samson. “We have to get back to the basics of blocking and tackling. If you can’t do those two things, it doesn’t matter what offense or defense you run; it is going to be a long night.”

Linn travels to South Callaway on Friday with the game starting at 7 p.m.