The Columbus Wildcat football team continues their work on the road this week with a trip to North Linn in Class A District 5. The ‘Cats are 1-2 on the year after their 26-14 loss at Danville a week ago. The Wildcats led after one and were tied at the break but the Bears outscored Columbus 19-7 after intermission to take the win. The Wildcats score 19 points per game and give up 28 this year on 260 yards per night, 174 on the ground and 86 through the air. Columbus is +3 in turnover margin on the season. Individually, Trevor Phillips is 32 of 55 throwing for 260 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. His favorite target is Elliot Wessley for 12 catches 101 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Angel Ineichen leads with 60 rushes for 355 yards and four touchdowns. Rey Resendez also has a rushing score. On defense, Wessley has 22 tackles, three for loss. Kason Dopler, Ineichen, Ronaldo Villegas, Fritz Figaro and Drew Totemeier have each recovered a fumble. Lamar Ceant has picked off two passes, Fritz Massillon and Rey Resendez one each. The Wildcats rank among the top 10 of Class A in seven categories.
North Linn is 3-0 this season after wins over East Marshall, Maquoketa Valley and Hudson by a combined 70-20 score. Last week against the Mustangs in a 28-13 win, the Lynx found the end zone twice in the final period to pull away for the win, highlighted by Will Sommerfelt and Brody Martin who combined for three rushing touchdowns and nearly 300 yards. This year the Lynx score 23 points per game and give up six on 227 yards per game, 180 rushing. Individual leaders include Sommerfelt at quarterback with a 17 of 37 mark for 139 yards a touchdown and an interception. His top target is Braden Wheatley with seven grabs for 64 yards. Waylon Raue has a touchdown catch. Running the ball, Sommerfelt has 44 rushes for 253 yards and a touchdown. Martin has scored twice and Landon Mertens once. Jack Gericke has 14 tackles to lead the defense, seven for loss with two sacks. The Lynx have four takeaways, two picks each for Sommerfelt and Wheatley. The Lynx rank in the top 10 of Class A in 12 categories.
Columbus head football coach Dave Lekwa spoke on the KCII Radio Coaches Corner last week about the important points in the matchup for the Wildcats. “There have been some great things. Angel Ineichen, all three games, he’s been over 100 yards rushing. We just have to do a better job of getting others involved also and spreading the ball around. There have been so many good things through these games that have happened, but there have been little mental mistakes and things that we still have time to clean up. Stuff that’s easily correctable. We’ll pull the positives from what we have seen so far and build on those and try to correct those little mistakes.”
These teams have not met previously. Action starts Friday night at 7p.m. In Troy Mills.