Linn scored on the first play of Friday’s Class 1, District 4 game against Skyline, and scored a TD in the second and third quarters, but it wasn’t enough as the Wildcats lost 47-18 to end the year at 1-9.

“Coming into the game, we just wanted the kids to play hard,” said Coach Steve Samson. “It didn’t matter what the score was or what the outcome would be — I thought that we did that.”

On the opening play, Tyler Wagner (1-1) hit Paul Lopez (3 catches for 97 yards) for a 78-yard passing TD off the option. “We worked on that play all week,” said Samson. “Throughout the game, there were times when we blocked really well, and there were times when we missed a block that could have helped continue drives; we just needed to be more consistent.”

Knox Sowders scored in the second quarter on a four-yard run, with an unsuccessful PAT. Trailing 40-12 in the third, Sowders scored again, this time on a two-yard run. The PAT was stymied.

On the ground, Sowders had 77 yards on three carries, with a long of 18, as Hunter Bish added 21 yards on seven carries.

H. Bish went 8-14 for 84 yards through the air. Also counting receiving yards were Wagner (3 for 42), Sowders (2 for 17), and Preston Keilholz (1 for 6).

Defensive stats were not available at press time.

Linn played without four starters for various reasons. “A lot of players had to step up and play, so that was good for next year,” said Samson. “We told players all year that they needed to prepare every game as if they would play, because with the depth we had, everyone is just one play away from being a starter.”

The Wildcats expected the game to be tough. “We go into every game preparing to win,” said Samson. “We watch film on teams and go into the game trying to take something away that they do well. In the two films we had, Skyline did not throw the ball that much, but against us, they threw the ball just about every play. Having a lot of new players in the lineup did not help us. Skyline did what we thought they would do on defense, and like I said, we just needed to be more consistent in blocking and knowing our plays.”

As the season ended, Samson reflected on progress. “It did not go as we expected,” he said. “Going in, we thought that we would start to turn the corner as a second-year program, but injuries and lack of depth really hurt us in the last part of the year. We never gave up during the games; we just need to improve on strength across the board at every position, and increase our depth, by getting these kids who are walking the halls who could help us to come out for football.”