Following Friday’s 29-14 loss to Fayette on the road in a conference matchup, Coach Steve Samson said the team is close to making the next step.

“We moved the ball really well,” said Samson. “We had our opportunities; we just didn’t finish some plays. We’re missing a block here and there that could spring us for more yardage, and on defense, we have a few miscues that are hurting us. I talked to the guys about it Saturday, and this week, we’re focused on finishing every drill, every play, everything we do, on a positive note. Hopefully, that helps us down the line.”

Linn’s running game did pretty well, with 170 yards on the ground, with another 70 coming through the air, and a rushing and passing touchdown.

Trailing 7-0 in the first, Tommy Scheulen scored on a two-yard run, part of his 109 rushing yards on the night. The PAT failed, but Linn was within one at the end of the frame.

In the second, Fayette went ahead by a touchdown, but later, Hunter Bish (3/10, 70 yards) found Cameron Hoelscher for a 48-yard TD pass, his only catch of the game. Scheulen converted the PAT to give Linn a 14-13 lead.

“We were doing well but started missing little things,” said Samson. “They were magnified because we matched up very well with Fayette, and we had plenty of chances.”

However, the Falcons scored again to take a 21-14 lead into halftime. Linn allowed one score in the second half.

Hoelscher finished with 48 yards on five carries as Aaden Nelson ran for 12 on a pair of tries, and Preston Keilholz and Bish had six and five yards, respectively.

Craig Laughlin, who had an interception, caught one pass for 14 yards, and Paul Lopez had another for eight.

Defensively, Laughlin’s 12 tackles (2 for loss) led the team as Connor Knoll (2 TFL), Joe Brandt, and Jason Greer each counted seven tackles, followed by Blaidon Muenks, Landon Brown, Tyler Wagner, and Bish (5 apiece), Jake Bish (4), Jakob Poston (2), and Ian Laughlin (1).

Samson said he’s happy with the effort. “I’m proud of the guys for not giving up,” he said. “Last year, they beat us 62-6, so we have made progress. We’ve played everybody tougher than we did last year, except for Windsor.”

On Friday, the Wildcats (1-4) welcome Russellville (4-1) for the Homecoming game.

“They run the flex bone, so it’s mostly an option, kind of like we run,” said Samson. “They run it a little differently than we do, but it’s basically the same thing. We’re going to have to assign people for dive, quarterback, and pitch, and they’re going to have to take those people, whether they have the ball or not. You’re going to have to cover them, because the first time you don’t, they’ll break out a big play. We have a lot going on this week with Homecoming, but I told the guys to remember we still have a game to play on Friday night. We’re going to play as hard as we can and hopefully get a win against a pretty good team.”