2024 is the dawn of a new era for Webster City football as Andy Brim steps into the head coaching role for the Lynx, replacing Hall-of-Famer Bob Howard as Webster City’s 7th football coach since 1948. Brim is no stranger to the Webster City program as an alumnus and a member of the staff for 17 years before his hiring as head coach. In year one at the helm, Brim will oversee a Lynx team that brings back a number of pieces from last year’s quarterfinal team and will keep operating Webster City’s iconic single wing offense, but still have some major pieces to replace.
Offense
Webster City’s offense for the past 3 seasons, was run through the arms and legs of superstar running back Jaxon Cherry. After back-to-back 1,800+ yard seasons, Cherry has graduated and the Lynx are searching for a new bell cow at running back. Junior Cael Nixon is the leader on paper, as Nixon ran for over 600 yards as a junior in a backup role in 2023. Jayden Weinzetl is also a potential replacement, as he would be moved from his blocking back spot and contains 4.6 40-yard dash speed. Spinner Back is also up for grabs for the 2nd year in a row after the departure of Keegan Hisler. Jaxon Griffith is the name to watch to emerge as the spinner back in the Lynx single wing attack, directed by new offensive coordinator Clint Howard. Luke Estlund cemented his spot as wingback midway through the 2023 season, and finished the year with 350 yards on the ground. The receiver room will have a returning senior in Carson Bertran, who will take a majority of the snaps and could be a downfield playmaker. The offensive line is the heartbeat of the Lynx offense, and Webster City will replace some talented seniors in Brandon Lahr, Landon Griffin, Sam Youngdale, Shannon Sinclair and Josh Stansfield. Beau and Cole Nohrenberg return and have the potential to emerge as a dominant duo on the offensive line, while tight end Gabe Ruby is back for his senior season. Newcomers to watch upfront include Junior Eli Estlund, sophomore Zack Lahr and junior Naythan Loughry.
Defense
Graduation will hit the Lynx defense hard, losing 2 of their biggest playmakers in the aforementioned Jaxon Cherry and Keegan Hisler. However, Jayden Weinzetl had an all-state caliber season at linebacker in 2023, and the stage is set for him to have an even better 2024 at linebacker. Cael Nixon also returns valuable experience at linebacker as well, while names to watch as newcomers are sophomore Kaleb Hansen and Aidan Hrnicek could move up from defensive back with an offseason of weight training. The defensive line returns Beau Nohrenberg and Tristan Mason from last season, and other contributors in line for the defensive line include Cole Nohrenberg, Eli Estlund, Max McGilligan and Zack Lahr. The defensive backfield maybe the strongest unit returning for the Webster City defense, as Carson Bertran returns, as does Luke Estlund, who could see a move to safety. Jaxon Griffith is a likely candidate to step in at cornerback if Estlund does move to safety.