KEEGAN HISLER RUNS THE BALL FOR WEBSTER CITY against West Delaware last Friday. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

WEBSTER CITY — Following a tough loss on the road, the Webster City football team returns home with another difficult opponent standing in front of them.

The Lynx host fifth-ranked (Class 3A) Clear Lake here Friday night.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

This is not only a battle between North Central Conference rivals, but the start of district play for both Webster City (3-1 overall, 0-0 in district) and the Lions (4-0, 0-0).

Last Friday, the Lynx suffered a 42-13 setback to West Delaware on the road, snapping their three-game win streak. Senior Jaxon Cherry did become the school’s career rushing leader with 104 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown.

Webster City had trouble containing Brent Yonkovic, as the junior ran for 217 yards with three scores and adding another TD in the air. The Hawks scored 28 points in the first half to gain control early.

Cherry ranks among the state leaders in yards and touchdowns, sitting at 852 yards with 11 scores. Keegan Hisler has rushed for 190 with a TD while Cael Nixon has 173 and a score.

Clear Lake has reeled off impressive wins over Iowa Falls-Alden, New Hampton and Forest City behind Cael Stephany and Titan Schmitt. Stephany, a senior, has thrown for 527 yards and six TDs while Schmitt has rushed for 598 and nine.

Thomas Meyer, one of the top recruits in the state as a junior, has caught 15 passes for 244 yards and four scores. Sam Dodge, a sophomore has over 300 yards of total offense and three TDs.

Last week, the Lions escaped against Waverly-Shell Rock, 28-25, as Schmitt ran 20 times for 118 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

These two teams have not met since 2017 when Webster City won, 41-27. Clear Lake has picked up the win in seven of the last nine meetings overall dating back to 2008.