IOWA FALLS, Ia. — The Webster City Lynx opens the 2026 season on Friday night with a road trip east on Highway 20 to take on the Iowa Falls-Alden Cadets in a battle of longtime NCC rivals at Cadet Field. Webster City won the 2025 meeting between the two at Lynx Field by a score of 42-8, as the Lynx lead the all-time series 65-39-6, with Friday’s meeting marking the 111th meeting between the two squads.
After a 3-6 campaign in their first season in Class 3A in nearly a decade, Iowa Falls-Alden has one of the highest-percentage roster production returning in the entire Class in 3A. Karsen Kalous is a dual-threat at quarterback, throwing for nearly 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for over 550 more yards and 5 scores. Kalous returns his favorite targets in receivers Cade Olberding and Collin Pieper, who combined for 68 receptions, over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Cadets also return their backfield in running backs Kyler Patton and Jack Duit, who combined for over 400 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2025. IF-A’s offensive line returning is a veteran one, with the likes of Reece Rankin, Brady Lancaster and Trayvahn Williams leading the unit.
The Cadets defense brings back a high amount of production as well, as the strength of the IF-A defense lies in the 2nd and 3rd level. Leading tacklers Kyler Patton and Drake Sanders are back at defensive back and linebacker respectively, as Cade Olberding, Khamani Jackson and Sam Turner look to step in at linebacker. The defensive backfield compliments with Karsen Kalous, Collin Pieper and Conner Kuker back. The defensive line brings back consistent production with Brooks Hickman, Reece Rankin and Trayvahn Williams.
Webster City looks to break in a mostly-new backfield on Friday with Alex Staley and Coyce Bertran at spinner back and wingback, while tailback Kaleb Hansen maybe in line for a breakout senior season. The Lynx trenches are younger, yet talented behind the veteran leadership of seniors Zack Lahr and John Wilwerding. The Lynx defense has its most experience in the linebacking core and defensive backfield, as the Lynx defensive line will try to limit throwing opportunities for IF-A quarterback Karsen Kalous.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM on Friday Night at Cadet Field and can be heard on AM 1570/FM 99.1 KZWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.