The Webster City Lynx have a long road trip in store on Friday night, as they make a nearly 2 and half hour long road trip to take on the LeMars Bulldogs in Class 4A, District 1 action. Webster City enters the game with a 3-2 record and 1-0 in district play, while LeMars enters with a 4-1 record and a similar 1-0 district record.
The Bulldogs have picked up their 4-1 record thanks to a schedule that’s been a bit on the weaker side, with their schedule ranked the 23rd strongest in Class 4A, while Webster City’s is the 10th strongest in the class according to BC Moore, with the Lynx having faced Waverly-Shell Rock and Humboldt, 2 undefeated teams.
LeMars is in year two under Ken Vigdal and have taken many positive steps forward from 2021. Vigdal’s RPO-laden offense has kept defenses on their heels this year, as junior quarterback Teagan Kasel has thrown for 648 yards and 5 touchdowns, while rushing for another 155 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs rushing attack has been a by-committee group, with Elijah Daugherty leading the attack with 271 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Conner Jalas also has over 100 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season, and Beau Wadle has 4 touchdowns as well. Kasel has also spread the ball around in the passing game, with 4 receivers having 10+ receptions on the year. Sione Fifita leads the Bulldogs with 212 yards an 3 touchdowns, and Beau Wadle trails closely behind with 203 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Bulldogs have been stout, allowing less than 300 yards per game (208.2 yards per game excluding the loss to Sioux City East). Senior defensive end Carson Lott has been the leader up front, amassing 21.5 tackles, with a team-high 4 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Junior Alex Allen has also played a key role up front, amassing 21 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. Elijah Dougherty and Beau Wadle anchor a veteran linebacker core, with Daughtery at 28.5 tackles and Wadle at 24 tackles, and each with 4 tackles for loss. Sione Fifita is the big play man in the secondary, with 2 interceptions, including a 99-yard pick six.
Webster City’s offense will look to steam roll the oppositions front seven for the 3rd week in a role, as the Lynx have rolled up over 1,100 yards on the ground in the last 2 weeks as the front of Max Kumm, Brandon Lahr, Josh Stansfield, Dylan Burnette-Bingham, Brandon Griffin and tight end Keegan Hisler have taken a huge step forward. Jaxon Cherry will look to continue his torrent pace to as one of the top running backs in Iowa’s second-largest class.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday at LeMars High School, the game will be broadcast on 95.7 KQWC beginning at 6:30.