Lynx won’t be fooled

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WEBSTER CITY - Don't be fooled by the numbers because the Webster City football team certainly isn't.

Yes, Waverly-Shell Rock has won just once in five outings. And yes, the Go-Hawks sit in a three-way tie for fifth-place in the Class 3A District 2 standings and that one win by three points over Hampton-Dumont, 38-35, is all that separates them from their current position and the cellar.

But like I said, don't be fooled.

When Webster City (3-2, 2-1 District 2) and Waverly-Shell Rock (1-4, 1-2 District 2) meet on the gridiron in Waverly at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, the records won't mean a thing. Besides, Lynx head coach Bob Howard says his players know better anyway.

"The kids understand they're a pretty good football team," Howard said of the Go-Hawks. "They've played the toughest schedule in the district and if they play without mistakes they're tough."

Waverly-Shell Rock has certainly played a daunting schedule. Its first five opponents own a record of 19-6, compared to a 15-10 mark for Webster City's earlier foes. The Go-Hawks have faced two unbeaten ranked teams - 3A No. 2 Clear Lake and 3A No. 4 Decorah - as well as once-beaten Algona.

Algona edged W-SR last Friday, 28-12. But the game would have been much closer had it not been for four Go-Hawk turnovers. Algona beat Webster City, 39-14, two weeks ago.

"Waverly moved the ball all over (Algona)," Howard said. "I thought they looked pretty good."

The Go-Hawks bring a formidable wing-t offense to the field, led by fullback Andrew Wright. He ran for 177 yards and one touchdown against Algona and went off for 213 yards in his team's win over Hampton-Dumont.

W-SR quarterback Brandon Steggall is also a threat on the ground. He went for 142 yards against Hampton-Dumont and is second on the team in rushing with 267 yards. Wright leads the group with 559 yards.

"(Wright) runs between the tackles and I don't know his exact size, but he looks to have pretty good size," Howard said. "This will be the largest team we've played and probably the most physical."

Webster City's primary goal will be to keep Wright and company off the field as much as possible. To do that the Lynx will look to their own backfield, namely senior tailback John Hill who is averaging 170 rushing yards per game and seven yards per carry in district play. Spinback Brent Nelson will be called upon to remain efficient through the air - he's completed 59 percent of his passes this season - and wingback Kevin Kannuan will be used as a change-of-pace back.

"We've got to be able to run off tackle and hit some passes," Howard said. "They'll play eight or nine guys up near the line, so if we can protect the passer we should have a shot to hit some big pass plays."

A win on Friday will only strengthen Webster City's chances of reaching the postseason. The top four teams in the district at the end of the regular season will qualify for the substate round.

"We've got four big weeks left and each one is a bigger deal if we keep winning," Howard said. "Every game is the most important game."