Metro Sports Report

Scott stars as No.9 Lions roll

CLINTON - The Linn-Mar Lions are mighty glad that Perrion Scott returned from Mississippi this summer after it appeared he wasn't coming back to Iowa.

They're also glad he's healthy and taking care of his work in the classroom, because he's a major weapon on a football field when he's clicking.

Scott ran for 147 yards and four touchdowns Friday night as the ninth-ranked Lions pounded Clinton, 49-7, in a Class 4A non-district game in Clinton.

Scott, a track star and one of the fastest runners in the state, scored three touchdowns in the first period alone with streaks of 61, 38 and 7 yards.

Quarterback Ryan Schmidt connected with Trevor Noble for an 11-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter as the Lions raced to a quick 28-0 lead after just 12 minutes of football.

Scott scored his fourth and final touchdown in the second quarter on a 2-yard run as the undefeated Lions (3-0) grabbed a 35-0 lead at halftime.

The second half began with a continuous clock in operation with the Lions sitting on their 35-point bulge. It became 42-0 after Daniel Gorsch scored on a 13-yard run in the third period.

Clinton made it 42-7, but Linn-Mar finished the scoring on a 2-yard run by Jordan Junkins, who finished with 80 yards on eight carries.

Scott also caught three passes for 27 yards, giving him 174 yards of total offense. Schmidt did not have to throw much in the victory and completed only five passes.

Linn-Mar hosts third-ranked Washington next Friday night.

J-Hawks roll over Davenport North

DAVENPORT - Manny Olutunde, Tavian Rashed and the Cedar Rapids Jeffersonoffense gashed Davenport North for six first-half touchdowns in a runaway 42-7 victory Friday night at Brady Street Stadium.

The J-Hawks (1-2) scored on all six of their first-half possessions in a non-district matchup between teams that were both 1-8 last season.

Olutunde notched 52- and 88-yard touchdowns in the first half, with both plays starting with short passes from Jesse Furrow that the junior running back stretched into long sprints into the end zone.

Jefferson Coach Brian Webb said he and his staff knew this year’s team was capable of performances like the one it turned in against the Wildcats.

“We knew all along we have a lot of speed and when we execute, we can score a lot of points,” he said. “It’s a testament to our kids, they’ve won three games in three years.”

Prairie's furious rally falls short

DUBUQUE – Cedar Rapids Prairie sent up a Hail Mary Friday night and Trey Beckman's almost-answered prayer was the only thing separating the Hawks from an improbable road victory over an undefeated Dubuque Senior team at Dalzell Field.

“It was bang-bang. They were just as close to catching the ball as us knocking it down,” Senior Coach John Osweiler said.

A squadron of Rams defenders swarmed the ball in the end zone, knocking down Beckman's game-winning prayer at the horn to seal Senior's breathless 34-28 victory over a relentless Prairie team that never quit despite playing from behind for nearly four quarters in chilly 37-degree temperatures.

“Tonight was a little ugly, but we pulled it out in the end,” Rams quarterback Lee Bonifas said.

Down 34-7 with 8:37 left, a slow starting but poised Beckman fired three touchdown passes in the game's final minutes.

Murphy brothers help Lions take title

Ryan Murphy has been chasing his older brother Daniel since they began competing in races back in grade school.

Don't look now, but Ryan is beginning to catch up.

Daniel Murphy placed second and Ryan Murphy finished fourth Thursday to help the Linn-Mar Lions claim the Cedar Rapids Invitational with an impressive performance at Noelridge Park.

Daniel, a senior, covered the 5 kilometer course in 15 minutes, 42 seconds. Ryan, a sophomore, finished just 15.39 seconds behind his brother.

Daniel Murphy was delighted for his brother.

"That's awesome. Geez, that's really good," Daniel said while looking at the official results. "Dang, that's awesome for him."

Ryan was pretty happy, too.

"That's a 23-second P.R. (personal record), I think," he said. "I've really improved since last track season. I'm happy with it."