The Webster City Lynx football team returns to action on Friday night, when they host the Hawks of West Delaware to finish non-district play at Lynx Field. The Hawks defeated Webster City in dominating fashion in 2023 by a score of 42-13, as West Delaware leads the all-time series 2-0.
It’s been an odd start to the year for the Hawks, as they are led by 1st-year head coach Ryan King, replacing longtime coach Doug Winkowitsch, who left to take the head coaching job at ADM during the offseason. An 0-2 start with 2 losses to top 10 4A teams, and a cancelation of last week’s matchup with Union Community have the Hawks sitting at 0-2. The straw that stirs the Hawks offensive drink is senior quarterback Brent Yonkovic, a dynamic dual-threat signal-caller, Yonkovic has rushed for 345 yards and 5 touchdowns, while throwing for another 219 yards, but with 4 interceptions. Yonkovic’s favorite target has been senior Seth Jackson, who’s caught 15 balls for 146 yards, while others such as Keagan Jackson and Ryan Hilby are active in the passing game. The offensive line is a senior-laden group, led by the likes of Jeryn Funke, Sam Ogden and Luke Beswick.
Defensively, the linebacking core is the heart and soul of the unit with the links of Funke and Beswick, as the duo has combined for nearly 30 tackles, 6 TFL and 2 sacks in the Hawks first two games. The defensive line has seen early production from the likes of Sam Ogden and Owen Pettlon, who have each recorded multiple TFL, as well as a sack for Ogden. The defensive backfield is a talented and veteran one with the likes of Ryan Hilby and Austin Schneider, with Hilby having the lone takeaway for the West Delaware defense with a 98-yard scoop and score.
Webster City will try and clean up the issue of turnovers, which bit the Lynx against North Polk numerous times, as the Comets ran two fumbles back for touchdowns. Consistency in running the football will be important for the Lynx after North Polk stymied the Webster City front on a number of possessions in Week 3.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM from Lynx Field on Friday night, and the game can be heard on 92.9/1570 KZWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.