Bettendorf football takes down Linn-Mar

On Friday, Nov. 1, the Bulldog football team defeated the Linn-Mar Lions 42-14 in the first round of the 4A playoffs.

Bettendorf started off quick with a 62-yard touchdown run by Harrison Bey-Buie, the point after was good by Reed Shea.

Next, it was the Lions’ turn. On their first possession, the Bulldogs sacked the quarterback and forced a fumble. Kane Schmidt picked up the loose ball and took it to the end zone giving the Bulldogs a quick 14-0 lead.

However, the Lions would not go down easy as they drove the length of the football field for a touchdown of their own, making the game 14-7.

The Bulldogs fired back with a 79-yard touchdown run from Joe Byrne; the PAT, point after touchdown, made it 21-7.

Linn-Mar and Bettendorf each added another touchdown on their next drives.

Bettendorf’s Noah Abbott made a one-handed grab in the end zone, making the score 28-14 before halftime.

Quarterback Joe Byrne, who played defense all of last season, went in at the end of the half at safety. On his second play on defense, Byrne caught an interception to keep the two-possession lead going into halftime.

“Instincts from last year took over. It was a great feeling,” Byrne said.

The second half was all Bulldogs; the defense locked down and did not allow any points in the second half.

“It was a bit more tiring than usual, but it kept me warm,” Byrne said.

Meanwhile, the Bettendorf offense added on two more touchdowns with runs from Bey-Buie and Byrne.

Byrne finished the game with 151 yards rushing along with 137 yards passing, 81 of the yards going to senior receiver, AJ Douglas.

Bey-Bouie rushed for two touchdowns and 219 yards, inching him closer to that prestigious 2000 yard mark.

On the special teams, senior kicker Reed Shea was perfect on PATs, making all six of them.

The win moves them into the state quarterfinals against the Cedar Falls Tigers at the Dome. The two teams met earlier this season in a back and forth thriller. The Tigers won the battle, but only by three points with a score of 35-32.

“We shut down the run game but let up some deep balls,” said senior linebacker Ethan Barry.

Their next game is Nov. 8 in Cedar Falls. The Bulldogs hope to get revenge and move into the semifinals.

“It’s either we turn in our stuff or they do, if everyone does their assignment we will be alright,” Barry said.

After such a close game last time, the Bulldogs could be in for another grinder Friday night.

“I think it could come down to a field goal,” Barry said.

If the Bulldogs win, they will move into the state semifinals, which will be played the following Friday, Nov 15.