Plagued by injuries last year, Linn-Mar could become a Class 5A football player

MARION — If anyone deserves a collective clean bill of health, it’s these guys.

Injuries hampered Linn-Mar last season after a 2-0 start.

“We didn’t have time to get frustrated,” said Ben Martens, now co-head coach. “We just tried to deal with it the best we could.

“We didn’t have time to think about what could have been.”

Instead, here’s what happened: six losses in the last eight games, a 4-6 record and an exit in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Now, a year later… what could happen?

All those injuries were a huge bummer at the time, but it did put other guys in the lineup whether they were ready or not, and that could make the Lions a formidable unit this fall.

“I think we have potential,” said Chad Tompkins, who shares head coaching duties with Martens. “We had kids that needed to step up. Hopefully we can reap the rewards this year.”

Tompkins and Martens agreed to the current two-coach format after Tim Lovell announced his resignation in May.

“Ben (was offensive coordinator) and had worked with quarterbacks in the past,” Tompkins said. “I took over as defensive coordinator last year.

“We couldn’t do it without the staff we have here. Ben and I have tried to get together every weekend.”

This is likely to be a one-year arrangement.

“I told my wife I probably can’t play two sports back to back (as head coach),” said Tompkins, who is the head coach of the girls basketball team.

In terms of overall production – returning passing yards, rushing yards, receiving and tackles – no team in 5A produces as much as the Lions.

“If we’re healthy, I think we can make a deep run,” said running back Dylan Muszynski, who rushed for 643 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing three games with a severe ankle sprain.

“Our class, we’ve always had a lot of success. We hope to represent the east side of the state (in the postseason).”

Tyree Alons rushed for a team-high 656 yards last season, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. The Lions also have their top three receivers back, led by Landon Sorg (28 catches, 280 yards).

Defensively, Carson Luense was the leading tackler with 58 stops.

Bryson Miell had five takeaways: three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

“I see the field pretty well,” Miell said. “I put myself in a position where I can get the ball.”

“My dad told me to have the mentality of ‘the ball is yours, no matter what.’

“If we’re that strong defensively, I think we’re going to be a bunch of monsters.”

When asked how he wanted this team to be announced this fall, Martens replied:

“I want them to be known as a tough, hardworking group of kids who work for each other.”

The 2023 injuries have healed. The Lions are, according to Tompkins, “as healthy as we can be, touch wood.”

If that continues, Linn-Mar has a good chance of its first playoff victory since 2015.

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