#8 Webster City opened their first-ever appearance in the Class 4A playoffs against a rising suburban-power in the #10 Norwalk Warriors. Norwalk entered Friday with a 6-3 record and a 3rd-place finish in Class 4A, District 5, behind Indianola and Bondurant-Farrar. Friday was the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Webster City took the football first and wasted little time in making noise, as running back Jaxon Cherry took the 4th play of the game 55 yards for a touchdown, to put the Lynx up 7-0. After a Norwalk punt, the Lynx struck again quickly, as CJ Hisler bolted 60 yards on a sensational touchdown run to put Webster City up 14-0. Ty McKinney would score the 3rd touchdown of the opening quarter as the Lynx were out to a surprising 21-0 lead. The Warriors would not go quietly, however.
Quarterback Ky Pearson lead a sustained Norwalk drive, and capped it off with a 12-yard touchdown to cut the score to 21-7. After a Webster City fumble, Norwalk struck again on another Ky Pearson run, to bring the score to 21-13. The Warriors then recovered a surprise onside kick, but with their backs against the wall, the Lynx defense held serve. Jaxon Cherry would punch in his 2nd touchdown at the end of the half to put Webster City up 29-13 at halftime.
Norwalk opened the 2nd half with a 3 and out, and CJ Hisler took the Lynx’s first offensive play of the half 80 yards for a touchdown, to put the Lynx up 36-13. Ty McKinney would then break off a long run, a 42-yard scoring run, to put Webster City up 43-13, and the rout was officially on. Ky Pearson would add his 3rd rushing touchdown of the night on a 75-yard run, but Norwalk would be stymied from there. Jaxon Cherry would score his 3rd and 4th touchdowns of the night to give Webster City a dominant, 57-20 win.
Webster City advances to the Class 4A Quarterfinals, where they will face #2 Cedar Rapids, Xavier on Friday in Cedar Rapids. Norwalk concludes its season at 6-4.