FORT WAYNE – With what the Bishop Luers football team had to deal with this week, a little rain and a lightning delay wasn’t about to slow it down.
In the wake of the firing of Knights coach Matt Lindsay and the subsequent revelation about the reasons behind the dismissal, Luers plodded its way to a 27-0 road win over Concordia at Zollner Stadium on Friday.
Lindsay was fired Sunday after 26 years as head coach and 33 years overall at Luers. The firing came three days after Lindsay was put on administrative leave. On Wednesday, the South Bend/Fort Wayne Diocese revealed the firing came after inappropriate videos were found on Lindsay’s school computer. The Allen County Sheriff’s Department is investigating whether any criminal charges will be brought against Lindsay.
“It was just about letting the distractions go,” Luers senior running back/linebacker Jaylon Smith said. “We had a lot of critical things going on and just had to persevere through it. I think we will be good.
“Our coaches were preaching on (keeping distractions to a minimum) and saying that everybody makes mistakes. So it is really about getting through those hard times and sticking together. Our prayers are definitely with coach (Lindsay). He’s a great coach.”
The team had to prepare for the game with the cloud surrounding Lindsay hanging over the school and the program.
“We kept pushing, and we didn’t take it bad or anything,” senior running back/defensive back TyVel Jemison said. “I can’t even talk about it.”
Nick Morken scored two rushing touchdowns for the Knights (4-2, 4-1 SAC), who finished with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the margin 27-0.
Matt Lindsay’s son, Kyle, served as the interim coach for last Friday’s 27-7 win over Wayne. Kyle Lindsay was the offensive coordinator as former Knights coach Steve Keefer was elevated from his freshman team coaching position to interim coach. Keefer coached Luers from 1979-86, winning the 1985 Class 2A state championship.
“We had a positive week, and the coaches did a fantastic job of getting them ready,” said Keefer, who preceded Matt Lindsay as the Luers coach. “We were trying to get some of that intensity we had against Snider (in Week 1). We have to regain some of that. It really wasn’t (hard to focus during practice). The coaches made the transition fantastic.”
Luers held Concordia (1-5, 1-5 SAC) to 23 yards of total offense, including only six in the first half. The Cadets punted the ball eight times, including six in the first half.
“We have had a hard time putting up points this year, so it’s our defense that has had to carry the load, and we have been up to it,” Smith said.
After an almost constant rain for the first three quarters, the game was delayed because of lightning at 8:40 p.m. with Luers leading 14-0 early in the fourth quarter.
“It is what it is,” Keefer said of the 30-minute delay. “You got to play, no matter if it is raining or snowing or delaying.”
Note: The 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Tour will visit Bishop Luers at 2:15 p.m. next Friday in the gymnasium to announce Jaylon Smith as a member of the team. The All-American game is Jan. 5.
