The Webster City Lynx football team returns to action on Friday night, as they make the drive into Humboldt County to take on the Humboldt Wildcats in Class 3A, District 1 action at Mason Maach Field at Humboldt High School. Webster City enters at 1-3, while Humboldt enters at 2-2, as Friday’s meeting is the 105th all-time meeting between the NCC rivals as Webster City leads the all-time series 68-33-5. Humboldt won last year’s meeting by a score of 28-14.
Humboldt enters Friday with a 2-2 record with lopsided wins over Spencer and Ballard, along with close losses to (3A) #1 Clear Lake and Carroll. The Wildcats offense has been led by quarterback Jackson Flaherty, who’s shaken off a rollercoaster start and thrown for 680 yards and 8 touchdowns, while rushing for 225 yards and 2 scores. Flaherty’s favorite target has been senior receiver Valley Davis, who’s caught 14 passes for 220 yards and 3 scores, while fellow senior Chase Flaherty has caught 10 passes for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead an experienced receiving core. The rushing attack is also a physical one, led by junior running back Cash McIntire, who’s rushed for 350 yards and 6 touchdowns, while also catching 8 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. The Wildcats also possess one of the best offensive lines in Class 3A, led by the likes of seniors Cael Donahe and Jack Guy, as well as junior Griffin Groat.
Defensively, Humboldt has routinely put out stout front sevens during Derrick Elman’s tenure, and 2025 is no different as the Wildcats feature a stout linebacking core led by senior Cael Donahe, who’s tallied a team-high 33 tackles with 2 TFL, while junior Griffin Groat has 18.5 tackles, 3 TFL and a sack. Braiden Swanson has stepped in as the 3rd backer with 16.5 tackles and 4 TFL. The defensive line is spearheaded by all-state defensive end Broedy Hendricks, who’s tallied 21.5 tackles, 5 TFL and a sack. Jack Guy has added 10.5 tackles as a space-eating defensive tackle for the Humboldt front. The Wildcats secondary has come along a bit slower, but played well in the win over Ballard in Week 4, as Chase Flaherty and Zane McIntire each have an interception, as Valley Davis leads the secondary with 14 tackles.
Webster City will look to build off an improved offensive performance against Gilbert, which saw 2 Lynx backs surpass 100 yards. Webster City was able to jump ahead 14-0 in the first half a season ago at Mason Maach Field, and if they can find that a similar rhythm, could find a way to keep the Wildcats playing catchup in the ballgame.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Mason Maach Field and can be heard on AM 1570 KZWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.