The Webster City Lynx football team returns to action on Friday night, for the first of two home games to wrap up the regular season, as the Lynx welcome in long-time North Central Conference rivals Algona to Lynx Field in Class 3A, District 2 action. Friday marks the first time the 2 sides have met since 2019, as Webster City holds an all-time record of 57-30-2 record against the Bulldogs. Both teams enter at 5-2 and 2-1 in the district.
Algona enters off a convincing 34-17 win over Highway 169 rival Humboldt in Week 7 as the Bulldogs aim for the 2nd playoff spot out of District 2. The Bulldogs offense is led by dynamic junior quarterback Alex Manske, who’s seen collegiate offers from the likes of Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska. Manske is a dual-threat quarterback, who’s thrown for 1,510 yards and 14 touchdowns, while rushing for another 622 yards and 11 touchdowns. Manske’s favorite target has been senior wide out Porter Reffer, who’s caught 38 balls for 823 yards and 7 touchdowns, while averaging 21.7 yards per reception. Other key targets for the Bulldogs passing game have been junior receiver Tate Slagle, as well as running backs Jayden Erpelding and Evan Allie. Allie has also rushed for 563 yards and 6 touchdowns to lead all running backs, while Erpelding has rushed for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Bulldogs secondary has been the main point of focus throughout the season. Algona’s leading tackler is junior defensive back Landon Thompson, who has 37.5 tackles and a tackle for loss for the Bulldogs. Fellow junior Devin Larsen has 17.5 tackles and a team-high 3 interceptions, a pick six and 2 fumble recoveries. Fellow DB’s Alex Manske, Daniel Kemna and William Weichert. The linebacker core is headlined by the duo of Tate Slagle and Reid Louwagie, as Slagle has 31.5 tkls, 2 TFL, a sack, 2 interceptions, a pick six and a touchdown. Louwagie has 26.5 tackles on the season, with a sack and 2 tackles for loss, while senior Matt Hoover rounds out the core with 19 tackles, a TFL and sack. Up front, Jack Limbaugh, who’s seen his share of Division I suitors, leads the defensive line with 19.5 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 3 sacks on the season.
Webster City has reeled off back-to-back convincing wins in district play, doing so last week without All-State running back Jaxon Cherry and offensive tackle Cole Nohrenberg. It is “anticipated” that Cherry and Nohrenberg will be back for Friday’s matchup with Algona, but the Webster City offense showed balance in the rushing attack against Charles City, thanks to the play of Cael Nixon at tailback and Luke Estlund at wingback. The Lynx defense will need to find ways to pressure Manske and keep him contained, and a quick pass rush from Jayden Weinzetl and Keegan Hisler could very much be the duo to do that.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM from Lynx Field on Friday night, and can be heard on 92.9/1570 KZWC or online at kqradio.com