As it turned out, “Turnover Tuesday” turned the tide for Linn-Mar Friday on Senior Night.

The Lions made the most of three Iowa City High fumbles and an interception to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 33-20 win at Linn-Mar Stadium.

“We practice on turnovers every day,” said Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth. “But on Tuesday, we put a special emphasis on turnovers. The defense has to get a number of them. Otherwise, they run.”

The Lions (3-5) could manage only 160 yards of total offense against the banged up Little Hawks (4-4). But big plays more than made up for the less-than-impressive offensive numbers.

Linebacker Dakota Digmann scored on a 25-yard fumble recovery in the first quarter and later teamed with Luke Meyer for a safety. Defensive back Andrew Gassmann recovered a fumble and returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown.

Zach Martins threw for an interception on a trick play, but then picked one off himself that led to a decisive TD by Nick Trabucco. Martins also caught a touchdown pass from Rhys Davis right after the safety.

On top of that, kicker Austin Wolter boomed a 47-yard field goal. Another long field goal try hit the front of the goal post.

“Our special teams played great tonight,” said Meyer, who pounced on an onside kick at a crucial point in the fourth quarter to keep City High's offense off the field.

The Little Hawks gained 284 yards, all but 33 of them on the ground.

“The turnovers just killed us,” said veteran Iowa City Coach Dan Sabers. “We moved the ball well enough to win the game. But we seemed to be snakebit.

“I wish someone could explain turnovers. But they just happen.”

Sabers, who was using a scooter on the sidelines because of a bum leg, noted that his team was also short-handed.

Starting quarterback Mitch Wieland has been out for awhile, and four starters were missing from injuries Friday night. Among the wounded were leading rusher Amos Levela, leading tackler Tyler Hill and Tony Perry.

“In my 31 years at City High, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Sabers said.

Forsyth, on the other hand, was pleased that his team bounced back from a drubbing by Praiire last week.

With three victories, he said the Lions are “on the bubble” as far the playoffs go. Unfortunately, they close their regular season next week at powerhouse Xavier.

“I thought the difference tonight,” Forsyth said, “was the way the kids came out and played in the second half.”

City High scored just before halftime to cut the Lions' lead to 17-14 and seemed to have momentum. Linn-Mar’s defense buckled down in the third quarter, however, holding the Little Hawks to just two short possessions.

Martins’ midfield interception with 9 minutes to go in the game was followed soon after by a 3-yard score from Trabucco.

“I think that was what put a dagger in them,” said Trabucco, a talkative running back and linebacker. “But this was the best team effort we’ve had this year by far.”

With six solo tackles and three assists, Trabucco also had a busy night on defense.

Meyer had seven solo tackles and four assists, with a pair of tackles for losses. He also caused a fumble.

Martins recorded six solos and four assists, while linebacker Austin Burbridge was a force with 10 solo tackles, four assists and one sack.

“We just made a few minor adjustments at halftime,” Forsyth said. “And in the second half those guys rose up and fought. They played with high intensity."

LINN-MAR 33, CITY HIGH 20

ICH      LM

First downs   16       10
Rushing       47-251   38-133
Passing       3-12-1   3-13-1
Passing yards 33       27
Punts         1-47     3-29
Fumbles/lost  3/3  2/0
Penalties     3-24  7-61

CITY HIGH    0  14  0  6  –  20
LINN-MAR    10  7  0  16 – 33

SCORING PLAYS

LM – FG Austin Wolter 47l
LM – Dakota Digmann 25 fumble return (Wolter kick)
IC – Bryson Runge 34 run (kick failed)
LM – Andrew Gassmann 94 kickoff return (Wolter kick)
IC – Xavier Washpun 6 run (Jake Leohr run)
LM – Nick Trabucco 3 run (Wolter kick)
LM – Safety
LM – Zach Martins 10 pass from Rhys Davis (Wolter kick)
IC – Mohamed Rouabhi 4 pass from Leohr (pass failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING
CITY HIGH: Runge 18-132, Leohr 15-68, Washpun 14-64.
LINN-MAR: Davis 17-17, Trabucco 8-23, Lembeck 12-93.

PASSING
CITY HIGH: Leohr 3-12-1, 33 yards.
LINN-MAR: Davis 3-12-0, 27 yards; Martins 0-1-1, 0 yards.

RECEIVING
CITY HIGH: Rouabhi 1-4, Morris 1-21.
LINN-MAR: Martins 1-10, Trabucco 1-3, Schlotterback 1-14.