Bobcats dominate Lincoln in season opener

Lights weren’t needed at Superior High School as they faced off against Lincoln Friday, but the Bobcats shone bright in their season opener. 

In the first quarter Superior was slow on offense and dropped several passes but still managed to take an 8-0 lead. The second quarter was all Bobcat offense and under the leadership of senior quarterback Billy Smith, Superior jumped out to a 44-0 lead at half.

“They performed up to their expectations and up to the coaching staff’s expectations,” Head Coach Allan Labbe said. “We had expectations for them and they responded appropriately.” 

Part of the expectations Labbe and his staff have of the Bobcats is toughness and Superior played tough throughout the game on both ends of the field. 

“We require them to be tough,” Labbe said. “We felt that the first game was so important because a lot of those kids had to go both ways. Some of them didn’t come off the field. We knew we would have to be tough to do that so our focus was not only on being physically tough, but mentally tough.” 

Two defensive standouts were ends Wyatt Zylawy and Billy Loewen – both had eight unassisted tackles and could not be stopped by Lincoln’s offensive line.

“Our ends did a nice job of stopping their outside game,” Labbe said. “That was critical for us.” 

But at the end of the day it was all eight players working in unison, from quarterback to kicker, that Labbe credited with the win. 

“To me, in order for the whole thing to work, eight players need to be in one heartbeat,” Labbe said. “I don’t care if one guy makes six touchdowns – he’s no more important to me than the guy who blocks for him.” 

As the clock ticked down at the end of the fourth quarter, Superior had a 58-0 lead and handily won the first game of the season.

“Generally we talk about team,” Labbe said. “We say our team did a great job, and they did.” 

Seniors Billy Smith and Adam Kay led the Bobcats with two touchdowns apiece – but they weren’t the only ones who saw the end zone against the Lincoln.

“Every player on the offensive team scored except for one,” Labbe said. 

“That’s pretty cool. When you can put your guards into the formula where the guards are scoring touchdowns – it gives the opponents a lot to think about.” 

The only player to not score was center Josh Goins and Labbe said that although he did not score, he was instrumental to the victory. 

“Josh did not have one bad snap on Friday,” Labbe said. 

“If that doesn’t happen, none of it happens. He touches the ball more than anybody.”  

Superior will face off at home against Seeley Lake on Friday at 7 p.m.

“It’s a chance to showcase the things we worked on,” Labbe said. 

“I feel good about every game.” 

Labbe also mentioned on Monday that the Junior Varsity squad was heading to Wallace to play a game. 

“When I get a chance to hang out with these guys that’s a good day,” Labbe said. “Just to watch the improvement, even in our youngest freshmen, that’s as rewarding to me as watching our seniors score touchdown after touchdown.” 

According to Labbe the program is sustainable because of the fact that the younger players are able to get a chance to shine in junior varsity play.