Webster City football falls short in upset bid on (3A) #5 Algona, 28-21

The Webster City Lynx football team returned to action on Friday night, as they made the trip north to Kossuth County to take on the Algona Bulldogs in Class 3A, District 2 action at Algona High School. Webster City entered at 3-4 and 2-1 in the district, as Algona entered at 6-1, 2-1 in district play and ranked #5 in Class 3A by Radio Iowa.

Friday’s first quarter would be on the uneventful side, as neither team produced a score with things at 0-0 going into the 2nd quarter. The 2nd quarter saw Webster City be the first to break free as quarterback Aiden Hrnicek broke free for a 37-yard touchdown to put Webster City up 7-0. Algona answered back as Nathan Manske scored on a 12-yard touchdown run to tie the score at 7-7. Following a Lynx punt, Algona took the lead on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Manske to Evan Allie, taking a screen up the sideline for a score to put the Bulldogs up 14-7. Webster City would answer before halftime on a 3-yard touchdown run to tie the score at 14-14 going into intermission.

Algona took the football in the 2nd half and managed to push their drive into Lynx territory, but the Webster City defense stiffened and forced a turnover on downs. The Lynx would go on a time-consuming drive, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Cael Nixon to take a 21-14 lead. Algona’s offense would come up short on a 4th down play on their ensuing possession, as Webster City looked poised to take a 2-score lead, but a fumble on a 4th down inside the 20-yard line gave Algona the ball back late in the 4th quarter. Nathan Manske then went to work, leading a fast drive capped off by his 2nd touchdown run of the night, tying the game at 21-21 with under 2 minutes to go. Webster City would punt on their ensuing drive, and Manske went up top to top receiver Evan Allie for a 29-yard touchdown pass with under a minute left to put Algona ahead 28-21. Aidan Hrnicek’s pass on the following possession was picked off by Allie to seal a 28-21 win for Algona.

Webster City would rush for over 260 yards, as Cael Nixon led the Lynx with 110 yards and 2 touchdowns on 30 carries, while spinner back Aidan Hrnicek rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Eli Estlund led Webster City with 7.5 tackles and a sack.

Webster City football returns to action on Friday night, when they travel to (3A) #3 Humboldt in Class 3A, District 2 action at Mason Maach Field in Humboldt at 7 PM.