Linfield sends warning: We've reloaded

It was another historic day at Maxwell Field in McMinnville yesterday. Linfield opened another football season and from the looks of their solid play and improvement, this is going to be yet another amazing Wildcat campaign. Less predictable and more fun.

Let met set the stage: Linfield comes into the game ranked 7th nationally against 16th ranked California Lutheran University. The rankings mean nothing. Linfield is ranked 7th strictly off its finish last year (9-2, advanced to second round of NCAA Division III playoffs). Linfield is rebuilding, particularly at quarterback, where they lost an All-American. Defense projected to be solid, but also lost an All-American.

And, CLU was projected to be better than their ranking and possibly better than what showed on paper, which was very good. I was fully prepared for a lessons-learning opening loss, not something Wildcat fans suffer lightly, especially at home. And, it did not start out well. Linfield went three out on their first three series and looked, in a word, bad. Meanwhile, CLU marched down the field in its first possession and scored with ease. Uh oh! This could have been a long afternoon.

But, the amazing thing about Linfield historically, is how well they are coached and how well they adjust. Major kudos to Coach Joe Smith and his staff. The fake punt call in the second quarter was pure brilliance and superbly executed. It was the turning point in the game. And, let's hear it for the Wildcat defense! They kept us in the game early and then slammed the door shut on CLU's comeback attempts late.

QB Mickey Inns started out slow and finished like a house on fire, aided significantly by his offensive line who did not allow a sack. He's got a ways to go, but showed visible and major improvement as the game progressed. He's going to be more than adequate, especially if he demonstrates the same kind of improvement throughout the season. Despite two picks, Inns was solid, solid, sold.

And, then there was Josh Hill. The Portland junior ran for 164 yards and two TDs in one of the best performance by a Linfield running back in years. He is exactly what the spread offense needs to be killer this year. Speed, quickness and smarts. Josh is our LaMichael James and will make our passing game even more effective.

This is a team to get excited about. I haven't been excited about a "new" Linfield team since Bret Elliott showed up on the scene in 2004. I was all prepared for a tough season of weekly hand-to-hand combat. I don't think so after watching the superbly entertaining and well played opener yesterday. I've watched a lot of Linfield football in the past 34 years and this year is unlikely to disappoint.