Linn-Mar junior running back Ross Lembeck escapes being tackled by Cedar Falls senior Riley Gardner during the first half of the Linn-Mar vs. Cedar Falls varsity football game on Friday, September 21, 20212(Kyle Grillot/The Gazette-KCRG)

MARION — No. 4 Cedar Falls hasn’t done anything the pretty way this season.

The Tigers have had a number of close calls and had another one again Friday night against Linn-Mar. Cedar Falls remained unbeaten with a hard-fought 27-10 win over the Lions at Linn-Mar Stadium.

Coach Pat Mitchell’s team (5-0 overall, 3-0 in the Valley Division of the Mississippi Valley Conference) got a strong rushing effort from tailback Elijah Berregaard in the first half and was able to clamp down on the Lions (1-4, 1-2) in the second half.

The Tigers used a pair of big plays in the second quarter to grab a 13-10 halftime lead. After the Lions went up 7-0 on a 3-yard Ross Lembeck TD run early in the second quarter, the Tigers needed just two plays to draw even as Berregaard broke loose for a 61-yard scoring run.

“I was really surprised,” said the Tiger back about his scoring run. “I got the ball and I don’t think (the Lion defense) even knew where I was. I saw all that green and I just went for it.”

Cedar Falls took the lead when Brandon Corkery hauled in a 29-yard TD pass from Brayden Longnecker with 5:10 left in the first half. The 2-point pass attempt failed, leaving the Tigers up 13-7.

Linn-Mar closed the gap to 13-10 on a 38-yard Austin Wolter field goal just before the break.

The Lions were their own worst enemy in the second half. On the second play after intermission, a snap went through the hands of Lion QB Rhys Davis.

Cedar Falls pounced on the ball at the Linn-Mar 20.

Five plays later, Nicholas Clark blasted his way into the end zone to put the Tigers up, 20-10.

“That was a big break for us,” Berregaard said. “We were able to maintain control after that point.”

Linn-Mar was able to move the ball against the Tigers and drove down the field after giving up the score.

But Wolter shanked a 26-yard field goal try and the Lions never threatened again.