The Webster City Lynx football team returns to action on Friday night, when they welcome in the Bulldogs of Hampton-Dumont-CAL for senior night at Lynx Field in Class 3A, District 2 action. Webster City enters at 1-4, as Hampton-Dumont-CAL enters at 2-3. Webster City won last season’s meeting in Hampton by a score of 35-6, as Webster City leads the all-time series 65-13-4, dating back to 1897.
Hampton-Dumont-CAL enters after a 28-10 loss to Humboldt in Week 5, as the Bulldogs two wins have come against 2A foes in Iowa Falls-Alden and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows. The Bulldogs offense is predicated on a heavy ground attack, led by senior running back Colin Bird, who has run for 427 yards and 4 touchdowns. Taylor Mahler, Brody Strother and quarterback Ryder Strother have also contributed to the rushing attack, each player having over 100 yards on the ground this season, as Ryder Strother has thrown for 274 yards and 3 touchdowns as well. Strother’s favorite targets have been tight end Brady Harr and brother Brody Strother, each with 8 receptions as Harr has a receiving touchdown.
Defensively, it’s been a breakout season at linebacker for senior Taylor Mahler, who has a team-high 29 tackles with 2.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. Fellow linebackers Colin Bird and Brody Strother have accumulated 21 tackles and 27 tackles and have combined for 7.5 tackles for loss. The defensive line features a couple of talented individuals in Maddon Evans and Brady Harr. Evans leads the unit with 11.5 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, as Harr only has 6.5 tackles, but has an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown. The back end of the defense has produced as well, as junior cornerback Carter Arends leads the team with 4 interceptions, while fellow DB’s Silas Buseman and Hunter Rieken each have interceptions as well.
Webster City will look to get back on the winning track after a month straight of games against UNI Dome-caliber opponents. Turnovers have hurt Webster City in their games in September, as ball security will be key for the Lynx offense. Webster City’s defense will need to shut down the run against the Bulldogs and force them to go the air.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Lynx Field, the game can be heard on 92.9/1570 KZWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.