The Webster City Lynx football team opened their 2023 season on Friday night, as they welcomed in Highway 20 rival Fort Dodge to Lynx Field at Webster City High School. Webster City had defeated Fort Dodge last year 62-23 in Fort Dodge.
The night started off slow for the Lynx, fumbling on their opening drive, which soon resulted in a 8-yard touchdown pass from Royce Pederson to Cal Hartman to put Fort Dodge up 7-0 midway through the first quarter. Webster City would fight back quickly, as quarterback Keegan Hisler managed to find a pay dirt on a 9-yard touchdown run to even the score at 7-7 late in the first quarter. The Lynx and Dodgers would trade 3 and outs for most of the 2nd quarter, before Webster City managed to put another one in on a 12-yard touchdown run by Jaxon Cherry to put the Lynx up 14-7. Webster City would force a stop, but fumbled on their ensuing offensive drive, setting up an 8-yard touchdown run by quarterback Noah Daniel, but a missed PAT put the score at 14-13 at halftime.
Webster City would not waste time to start the 2nd half, marching down the field and capping the drive with a 26-yard touchdown run by Jaxon Cherry to put the Lynx up 20-13. Mistakes then hit the Fort Dodge offense, as a fumble on the ensuing possession led to another Jaxon Cherry touchdown from 5 yards out to put Webster City up 28-13. Fort Dodge would not back down as Ty Adams returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown to cut it to 28-20. In the 4th quarter, Fort Dodge would tie it with just over 6 minutes to go off an 18-yard touchdown run by sophomore sensation Dreshaun Ross to tie the game at 28-28. However, Webster City would have the last laugh as Keegan Hisler hit Jesse Crutcher for a 22-yard touchdown pass to put Webster City up 35-28 with 23 seconds to go. The Lynx defense would hold for the final seconds for the 35-28 win.
Jaxon Cherry would have the standout night for Webster City, with 25 carries, 266 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also amassing 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and a sack. Dreshaun Ross would have a big night for Fort Dodge, with 21 carries, 108 yards and a touchdown, while also amassing 8 tackles.
Webster City returns to action on Friday night, when they travel north to take on Spencer in non-district action. Fort Dodge will host Mason City on Friday night.