JAXON CHERRY BREAKS FREE ON A RUn as Brandon Lahr blocks for Webster City during the regular season. Both earned IPSWA/IFCA all-state recognition this week. (DFJ photo by David Borer)

Four members of the area have been honored with all-state recognition by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association and Iowa Football Coaches Association.

Webster City’s Jaxon Cherry made the Class 3A first team, and Lynx teammate Brandon Lahr the second squad. Meanwhile, South Hamilton’s Nick Severseike and Owen Duns were both on the second team in Class 1A for the Hawks.

Cherry, who broke all school rushing records, finished seventh in the entire state in yards with 1,891 and 13th with 26 touchdowns. He averaged 7.5 yards per carry and had over 1,900 total yards of offense.

On defense, Cherry recorded a team-leading 80 tackles with 66 solo stops, 22 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

For his career, Cherry — also a 2022 first team all-state selection in 4A — finished with an all-time Webster City-best 4,304 yards and 72 touchdowns. He also landed on the third team as a sophomore, making him only the second player from Webster City to be honored three times with all-state recognition. Cooper Lawson was tabbed three times from 2015-17.

Lahr, a senior, was a key member of the offensive line that helped clear the way for Cherry and company. He also made a handful of tackles on defense.

Webster City went 31-11 over the past four years, and made the playoffs each season. The Lynx reached the quarterfinal round in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

“Jaxon’s career speaks for itself,” said WCHS head coach Bob Howard. “First team all-state last year, after leading 4A in rushing and scoring; third team all-state as a sophomore; and first-team all-state this year, once again leading 3A in rushing. He is a generational talent who worked hard year-round to become the best he could be.”

“Brandon was a two-year starter and an outstanding guard in our offense. He was lead blocker on the majority of Cherry’s runs, was another great example of commitment and consistency with hard work in the off-season, and was very deserving of all-state selection.”

Severseike, a junior, was the lead back of a rushing attack ranked among the best in the state. He carried the ball just 101 times but finished with 1,137 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging over 11 yards per carry.

He will be part of the returning unit that looks to record a third consecutive season of at least eight wins and the fourth over the last five years.

Duns recorded 38.5 tackles with 13 solo stops, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as part of a defense that recorded two shutouts and held six teams to 14 points or less. The senior had 5.5 tackles in his final game this past fall.