TY McKINNEY rolls out to pass for Webster City on Friday night against Spencer. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

WEBSTER CITY — Despite a tough loss to Spencer this past Friday night, the end goal remains well within reach for the Webster City football team.

The Lynx suffered their first district setback of the season at the hands of Spencer in an offensive showcase, 49-40.

With two weeks remaining, though, Webster City (4-3 overall, 2-1 in District 1) still controls its own destiny. If the Lynx take care of business against Storm Lake and Denison-Schleswig, the team will return to the playoffs.

“We get back to work on Monday, strive to play our best game against Storm Lake,” WCHS head coach Howard said, “and know that if we take care of business the last two weeks, we can reach the playoffs — which are legitimate and consistent goals of the program.”

Webster City and Spencer (6-1, 3-0) were locked at 7-all after the first and 21-all at halftime. In the third quarter, the Lynx attempted to gain an edge, taking advantage of a penalty to go for two while trailing 35-34. The Tigers stopped them and gained control instead.

“Both teams made some big plays, particularly in the passing game,” Howard said. “There were no glaring mistakes that led to the other team scoring.”

Senior quarterback Ty McKinney completed 5 of 8 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns with an interception, while both Keegan Hisler and Jaxon Cherry completed a pass for 38 total yards. The Lynx finished with 208 yards through the air against what was often a stacked box, averaging almost 30 yards per completion.

On the ground, Cherry racked up 161 yards and two touchdowns, with McKinney adding 24 and a score. CJ Hisler added 75 yards rushing.

Cherry also caught an 85-yard TD pass, while Connor Hanson hauled in four passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

Trevyn Lyon and Brendyn Carlsen each caught a pass as well.

On defense, Cael Nixon recorded a sack, while Cherry recorded 10 tackles and McKinney six. Cherry also returned three kickoffs for 135 yards, giving him 282 all-purpose yards for the contest.

Spencer exacted revenge from a year ago, when it was defeated at home by the Lynx, 21-7.

“We never go into a game planning on a basketball score,” Howard said. “The two teams combined for well over 900 yards of offense despite both teams having pretty good defenses.”

The Tigers, who have won six in a row now since a season-opening loss to third-ranked (2A) and current unbeaten Spirit Lake, were led by Adrian Carrillo. The junior rushed for 136 yards and a pair of scores.

Senior Riley DeWitt had 97 rushing yards and three TDs, while throwing for 125 yards and a pair of TDs. Senior Campbell Wessels had three of the receptions spanning 112 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore Miles Robbins led Spencer defensively with 14 tackles and two for loss. Gavin Timmer recovered a pair of Lynx fumbles.

Webster City will host Storm Lake this Friday night. The Tornadoes are coming off a 50-17 setback to Fort Dodge that dropped them to 0-7 on the year overall and 0-3 in the league.