BETTENDORF - Stopping the big play and scoring in the red zone.

Both areas have been trouble areas through the first two games for the Linn-Mar football team.

And it has proved costly.

The Lions made some big plays on defense, but gave up two long scoring runs in Friday night's game against Pleasant Valley.

And when Linn-Mar had gained momentum and was driving for a potential tying touchdown early in the fourth quarter, it stalled out at the Spartan 2.

The result was a 27-13 win for Pleasant Valley before a good crowd at Spartan Stadium.

As was the case in the opening night loss to Prairie, Linn-Mar did several good things on both sides of the ball, but were victimized by mistakes at critical moments.

"Another great effort," lamented Linn-Mar coach Bob Forsyth. "We had a lot of kids out there playing hard. We just have to quit making mistakes in certain situations and capitalize on our chances."

Pleasant Valley's option attack got some big chunks of yards, but it was also sent for some losses that allowed the Lions to stay in the game.

"What I saw out there were things we can correct," Forsyth said. "We've got some good football players and I know they can get things corrected."

Linn-Mar was without one of its big weapons in kicker Alexy Boehm, who was injured in the Prairie game and was on the sidelines in a knee brace. Austin Cochrane was brought up from the sophomore team and converted a pair of first-half field goals when Lion drives stalled inside the 20.

The hosts scored on their first possession as sophomore Arthur Braden, who rushed for 194 yards on 24 carries, went in from 12-yards out.

Cochrane hit from 25 yards out to get the Lions on the board but PV came back to make it 14-3 on a 6-yard run from quarterback Terry Saul. Cochrane's second kick late in the second quarter made it 14-6 at the break.

The Spartans scored on the second play of the third quarter when CJ Carter got loose for a 71-yard score.

Linn-Mar made it 21-13 when Reese Phillips hit Daniel Gorsich on a 23-yard scoring pass. The Lion defense then made a great stand at the end of the third quarter, stopping the Spartans inside the 5.

Phillips then led the Lions on a beautiful march all the way to the Spartan 3, but he was stuffed short of a first down to end the potential game-tying drive.

Pleasant Valley then used another big play, a 55-yard run from Braden to salt the game away.

Forsyth said the Lions are going to have to find a way to finish drives.

"We're going to have to come up with something," he said. "When you get into the red zone you have to get touchdowns. When you have a young team you have to keep emphasizing that point."

Zach Luehring led the Lions with 98 yards rushing on 23 carries. Gorsich caught five passes for 95 yards.

Linn-Mar (0-2) will seek its first win of the season next Friday at home against Clinton. PV (2-0) plays at Bettendorf.

PLEASANT VALLEY 27, LINN-MAR 13

LM          PV

First downs            13          18

Rushes-yards    36-140    47-340

Passing yards        105          17

Comp-Att-Int     7-15-0      2-5-0

Fumbles-lost          1-1         2-1

Punts-avg.       5-31.0      4-34.5

Penalties-yards    7-44         8-53

Linn-Mar           3 3 7 0 - 27

Pleasant Valley   7 7 7 6 - 13

Scoring plays

PV - Arthur Braden 12 run (Nick Schwake kick)

LM - Austin Cochrane 25 FG

PV - Terry Saul 6 run (Schwanke kick)

LM - Cochrane 30 FG

PV - CJ Carter 71 run (Schwanke kick)

LM - Daniel Gorsich 23 pass from Reese Phillips (Cochran kick)

PV - Braden 55 run (run failed)