The Webster City Lynx football team return to action on Friday night, as they make the trip north into Kossuth County to take on the Algona Bulldogs in Class 3A, District 2 action at Algona High School. Webster City enters at 3-4 and 2-1 in district play, while Algona enters at 6-1, 2-1 in district play and ranked #5 according to Radio Iowa. Webster City won last season’s meeting at Lynx Field 47-0, as Webster City leads the all-time series 58-30-1, dating back to 1905.
Algona is fresh off their first loss of the season against Humboldt in Week 7, a game that saw Bulldog All-State quarterback Alex Manske exit with an injury and not return. Manske’s younger brother, Nathan led a possible game-winning touchdown drive, but his 2-point conversion attempt was intercepted to give Humboldt the win. The younger Manske is set to start the rest of the season, as Alex Manske announced on Tuesday his season would be over due to a UCL injury in his throwing elbow. Nathan Manske will have a number of weapons at his disposal, including leading receiver Evan Allie, who has 556 yards and 6 touchdowns on 23 receptions. Fellow receiver Tate Slagle leads the Bulldogs in touchdowns with 8, along with 367 yards and 23 receptions, while junior Tyson VanDeWalle has 3 touchdowns with 263 yards and 15 receptions. Jack Limbaugh is also involved in the passing game, but also leads the line in the rushing attack. Junior William Weichert has led the rushing attack with 478 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Alex Manske’s injury provides a hole in the Bulldogs rushing attack.
Defensively, the Bulldogs have prided themselves on putting pressure on opposing backfields and making big plays. Jack Limbaugh leads the defensive line with 28 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, while fellow senior Aiden Ulrich has 9.5 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Algona’s linebackers have been extremely productive, as senior Landon Thompson leads the team with 40.5 tackles, as well as 10 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Taevyn Zinnel has added 33.5 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 3 sacks, while Ashton Moreno has 21 tackles on the year. The defensive backfield is full of playmakers, as the unit has returned 4 interceptions for touchdowns this season. Evan Allie leads the unit with 3 picks, 2 of them returned for scores. Tate Slagle and Tate Garman each have one pick, with those going back for touchdowns. Nathan Manske will see an elevated role on defense with his brother out, as Slagle leads the unit with 34.5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and a sack.
Webster City football will look to lean on their physicality offensively and shorten the game to limit an explosive Algona offense, and tire out the Bulldogs front seven. Defensively, Webster City will need to make the younger Manske uncomfortable and force mistakes to get Algona behind the ball.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Algona High School, the game can be heard on 92.9/1570 KZWC or online at kqradio.com.