The Webster City Lynx football team returns to action on Friday night, as they make the trip down to Southwest Iowa to take on the Creston Panthers in the Class 3A quarterfinals at Panther Stadium in Creston. Webster City enters with a record of 8-2 and 4-1 in district play, while Creston enters with a perfect 10-0 record and 5-0 out of Class 3A, District 6.
2023 has been a watershed year for the Panthers, finishing the regular season undefeated for the first time since 2011, accentuated by not one, but two wins over their longtime rivals and the New York Yankees of Iowa High School Football in the Harlan Cyclones. The Panthers have been led by a balanced and explosive offense, directed by senior quarterback Cael Turner, who’s thrown for 2,442 yards, 29 touchdowns, only 6 interceptions, and is completing 63.6% of his passes. Turner’s favorite target has been senior receiver Brandon Briley, who’s caught a team-high 38 passes for 730 yards and 10 touchdowns. Running back Brennan Hayes has been just as much a receiving threat out of the backfield, with 32 receptions for 722 yards and 7 touchdowns. Juniors Weston Trapp, Josh Schaefer and Tyler Riley have all made notable contributions as receivers as well. The rushing attack is spearheaded by the aforementioned Brennan Hayes, who’s run for 1,547 yards (2nd in Class 3A) and 15 touchdowns, while averaging 8.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Cael Turner has also shown the ability to create with his feet, rushing for 315 yards and 5 touchdowns, while backup running back Weston Trapp has rushed for nearly 250 yards and 5 touchdowns as well.
Defensively, the cornerstone of the Panthers defense has been senior defensive end Max Chapman, who’s tallied 47 tackles, 2 sacks and a 3A-high 23.5 tackles for loss, fellow senior defensive lineman Jackson Kerr has 14.5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack. The Panthers posses a pair of star pass rushers at outside linebacker as well, with Austin Evans and Milo Staver. Staver has 27 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss on the season, while Evans has a team-high 63 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and a scoop and score. Will Bolinger and Lucas Travis control the inside linebacker spots, Bolinger has 48 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, while Travis has 46.5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack. The defensive backfield is full of playmakers, led by senior corner Dylan Calvin, who’s recorded a team-high 5 interceptions in addition to 24.5 tackles as well. Fellow senior corner Jack Walter is the enforcer, with 57 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery and an interception. Senior safety Dillon Starlin isn’t afraid to hit either, with 52.5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and an interception, while fellow safety McCoy Haines is also a ballhawk, with 4 interceptions in addition to his 42.5 tackles on the year.
Much like they did in their 27-7 win over Nevada, Webster City will want to play this game in a phonebooth, riding their red-hot offensive line and senior running back Jaxon Cherry, who ran for 200 yards and 3 scores in the Lynx first round win. Webster City’s commitment to the run can take the playmaking Creston secondary out of the equation, as long as the Lynx can stay ahead of the chains. It’s also safe to say the Webster City defense is the fastest Creston has seen to this point of the year, and the Panthers will need to know at all times where Jayden Weinzetl, Keegan Hisler and Jaxon Cherry are, to protect quarterback Cael Turner.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM from Panthers Field on Friday night, the game can be heard on 95.7 KQWC or online at kqradio.com.