The Webster City Lynx football team opens their 2025 season on Friday night as they welcome in an old North Central Conference rival in the Iowa Falls-Alden Cadets at Lynx Field. Iowa Falls-Alden returns to the ranks of Class 3A for the first time since 2017, which was also the last time the two programs met on the gridiron, resulting in a 62-6 win for Webster City. Webster City leads the all-time series by a margin of 64-39-6, with the first meeting occurring in 1899.
Eric Walkingstick enters his 4th season as head coach at Iowa Falls-Alden and has been looking to find traction for his program, as the Cadets have been through 3 consecutive 2-7 season’s, but did have a playoff appearance in 2022. The Cadets do have a quarterback battle with juniors Karsen Kalous, Cade Olberding and Payne Nelson, as Olberding led the team in passing and rushing in 2024, but Kalous got the start in the Cadets season-finale last season against Clarion-Goldfield-Dows. Kalous threw for 262 yards and 2 scores, while also accumulate over 200 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns as a receiver, while Olberding caught 8 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown last season. Running back will be a key position to fill, as Kyler Patton looks to be the top prospect to fill the running back role. The offensive line will be another year older, despite the loss of Carter DeBates, with athletes such as Reece Rankin, Brooks Hickman and Trayvahn Williams.
Defensively, the Cadets do need to replace some production, including defensive lineman Trevor Bailey, who had 76.5 tackles, 17.5 TFL and 3 sacks. Brooks Hickman is the top defensive lineman back after 29.5 tackles in 2024, as Reece Rankin was a solid rotational piece with 17.5 tackles, 5 TFL and a sack. Jack Duit is the top returner in the linebacking core, recording 39.5 tackles and 2 TFL, while Karsen Kalous and Drake Sanders are the top returners in the secondary, as Kalous tallied 25 tackles and 2 picks, while Sanders accumulated 39.5 tackles and 2 TFL.
Webster City enters Friday with some experience to lead them in 2025, as spinner back Aiden Hrnicek and halfback Jaxon Griffith playing well in the scrimmage. Kaleb Hansen showed some flashes at wingback. The Lynx defense l0oked as quick as they usually have been in recent years, which could make life very difficult on the Cadets offense.
Kickoff is set for 7 PM at Lynx Field, and the game can be heard on AM 1570/FM 99.1 KZWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.