The Linn-Mar Lions plan to pick up the pace on offense this season by running more plays in a shorter period of time.

Coach Bob Forsyth thinks it's the best way to pick up more victories after struggling through a 3-and-6 campaign in 2012.

"Offensively we're going to try and play at a high tempo," he said Monday on the first day of preseason camp. "We're at two plays a minute right now and we're going to try and get a little better than that. That could be a big key for us."

Forsyth thinks the Lions have the depth to play at a high tempo, with three tailbacks and a flock of receivers to complement 6-foot-4 junior quarterback Ryan Schmidt and 6-foot senior QB Matt Ramsey, last year's backup passer.

The Lions hope to apply considerable pressure on opposing defenses, who won't have as much time to adjust to what Linn-Mar is doing. Forsyth said a high-tempo offense is the new rage in football, from the highest levels through the prep ranks.

"It's going to be a significant change," said Forsyth, beginning his sixth year at Linn-Mar. "Everybody who's coaching in the NFL on down is taking a look at it to see what it's going to be like. We'll see what happens."

The Lions could call some of their plays at the line of scrimmage in a no-huddle look, or they could spend a few quick seconds in the huddle and then sprint into formation.

"A bit of both," said tight end/defensive end Jon Schlotterback.

More plays could mean more touchdowns, and more touchdowns could mean more victories.

"It should. We'd like it to," said Schlotterback, a big target at 6-foot-4. "They're getting us in good shape. They really want us to push the tempo and get things moving faster and get it going hard."

The linemen are being asked to play at a faster pace as well. The Linn-Mar coaches were constantly preaching "Tempo, Tempo, Tempo" in practice Monday. "Quicker. Faster."

"It's working well," said Andrew Holladay, an offensive tackle and defensive end. "It's picking up the pace, working hard on offense. It's working for us so far."

Linn-Mar has won two Mississippi Valley Conference titles in the last five years, but the 3-6 campaign in 2012 was a downer.

"It was tough, but I think it's really motivated us this year to get lifting," said Schlotterback. "The guys who are out here are working unbelievably hard, and I think partly it's because they feel motivated, they feel a desire to be better."

Forsythe thinks the Lions could have a good running game with Ross Lembeck, Logan Benter and Perrion Scott carrying the load. Lembeck ran for 693 yards and four touchdowns last year.

"I think we're going to use them all," said Forsyth.

Benter and Scott played for the sophomore team that finished 7-2 in 2012. Scott burst onto the scene this past spring as one of the top sprinters in the state, helping the Lions capture the Class 4A state title.

"We're excited to work with him," said Foysyth. "He had a really good team camp. We'll see how it works out. He's a football player who runs track. He was a good sophomore player last year."

Scott was nursing a leg injury Monday, but hoped to return to speed soon.

Forsyth will be disappointed if the Lions suffer through another losing season. However, he anticipates having eight or nine new starters on both sides of the ball as the team takes shape.

"That's going to be a challenge for us," he said. "I think we'll be rebuilding everything."

Overall, he thinks the team is better than a year ago and is optimistic heading toward the Aug. 30 opener at Iowa City West.

"I don't think there's any doubt that I'll be disappointed if we don't have a winning season," he said. "If you asked me for a long-term goal, I think it would be ... We want to try and be champions of the conference. If you're the champions of the conference, then everything else takes care of itself."