No. 1 Linton looking to finally topple Mater Dei

Coach Brian Oliver is in shock after senior Nathan Watson dumps a bucket of water on him after the win over Lapel in regionals. Oliver will get another cold shower if his team wins against Evansville Mater-Dei Friday night.

Nathan Pace

LINTON – Few football teams in the state reach the point where stadium lights are needed on the weekdays but Linton is one of them. The Miners are practicing after the sun sets in cold temperatures during its postseason run.

“There is nothing better than having a November practice in the evening and it gets a little dark and cold,” Linton Coach Brian Oliver said. “It’s always an exciting time for all that stuff because you know if you get stuff like this you are having a pretty good season.”

The Miners are one four teams in Class 2A still going this season after a dominant win over Lapel in the regional last week, 60-24. Next, is a test against Evansville Mater Dei in the Reitz Bowl in semi-state.

The Wildcats have knocked the Miners out in sectionals the past four years but Linton was moved out of the sectional back in the spring. While the teams know each other well, Oliver and the staff are looking at the Wildcats closely.

“It’s like we do about every year. We come out and watch a lot of film and try and find weaknesses and adjustments we think they are going to do. Figure out ways we can attack them,” Oliver said.

Mater-Dei is led by senior quarterback Mason Wunderlich as he has thrown for 2,565 yards and 25 touchdowns. He has thrown for eight interceptions as Oliver is optimistic the cold weather could help his defense. Conditions are expected to have temperatures less than 30 degrees.

Linton senior Wrigley Franklin will be one of several Miners with the task of getting to the Wildcat quarterback Friday night.

“Getting pressure on the QB and making him force some mistakes. Doesn’t happen often. With it being cold, hopefully the ball will be harder. Try our best to get pressure and confuse him with different coverages,” Oliver said.

Wunderlich is the best quarterback Linton will face all year as he is receiving interest from power conference schools and is a candidate for “Mr. Football” in the state. He threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s 28-27 win in Linton during sectionals.

While Linton is No. 1 and 13-0, Mater-Dei is viewed as the favorite. John Harrell is viewed as the best in the state for predicting games and gave a 31-28 edge to the Wildcats. The No. 6 Wildcats are 10-3 but played a schedule full of larger programs until the postseason.

The Miners are 23-1 over the last two seasons with the loss to the Wildcats on Oct. 29 last year as the lone blemish.

Tickets to the game are cash only at the Reitz Bowl for $12. Linton will have a presale during the girls basketball against North Central Thursday. Kickoff is 7:30 EST.

After winning its first regional in six years and first in Class 2A, Linton players and coaches have enjoyed the fan support from the community.

“They are just happy to see us keep playing and it’s always something great about this community,” Oliver said on the community support. “They support teams really well. They do a great job of all that.”