KEEGAN HISLER RETURNS A FUMBLE 99 yards for a Webster City score against North Polk at Lynx Field. Aiden Hrnicek (6) and Trevyn Lyons (9) follow. (DFJ photo by David Borer)

WEBSTER CITY — On a week of homecoming glitz and glamour, the Webster City football team put on a show of their own here Friday to remain undefeated.

The sixth-ranked Lynx (3-0 overall) rallied to edge No. 5 North Polk (2-1) by a 21-20 final in non-district action.

“It was a big-game type atmosphere, with a large crowd and two highly-rated teams,” said WCHS head coach Bob Howard. “Our goal was the same after the game as before: To use the experience against a great opponent, to get better. North Polk played great defense, and it took us quite a while to try to adjust to their speed.

“Likewise, they were loaded with skill players on the offensive side, so it took a few possessions for our defense to (find their footing).”

Homecoming candidate Keegan Hisler and king Jaxon Cherry came up with big plays to keep Webster City perfect on the season. With the Lynx trailing 13-0 and under a minute remaining in the first half, the Comets had the ball on Webster City’s one-yard line.

The Lynx defense stripped the ball from North Polk, and Hisler did the rest, grabbing the ball for a scoop-six after a 99-yards touchdown scamper to trim the deficit right before the break.

“Obviously, Keegan’s fumble return was a huge play in the game,” Howard said. “We had done basically nothing on offense the first quarter and a half. North Polk was inside our three (yard line) after an interception.

“A score would have put us down 20-0, but the kids didn’t fold. They forced a fumble, and Keegan took it 99 yards (for a momentum-saving touchdown).”

Cherry added a nine-yard score and a 44-yard TD scamper in the second half to help complete the Lynx comeback.

“After North Polk scored early in the third period, our line — and Jaxon Cherry — started to move the ball,” Howard said. “Jaxon hit the 44-yard run, then had a huge nine-yard effort in the fourth to put us ahead.

“The defense played well and forced a punt, and we ran nearly five minutes off the clock with four first downs, which made them to use all of their timeouts. Our offensive line grinded out the needed yards. When we turned the ball back to them with less than two minutes to play, Briar Klaver sealed the win with an interception.”

Cherry finished with 161 yards on 24 carries and the two scores. The senior led the defense as well with 10.5 tackles, three of which were for a loss.

Josh Stansfield recovered a fumble, and Klaver had the pivotal interception.

Cherry now has 744 yards on the ground, which leads the state. His 10 touchdowns are the best in 3A.

“It was another great example of this team staying together, handling adversity, and making plays when they needed them,” Howard said. “We still have a long way to go — particularly with trying to manufacture a passing threat — but focus and mental toughness have been a big plus so far.”

The Lynx are back in action on Friday when they travel to West Delaware.