WEBSTER CITY (top photo) is awarded its Class 3A state playoff trophy after Friday night's game at Creston. (DFJ photo by David Borer)

CRESTON — Another memorable season — anchored by an indelible senior class — came to an end for the Webster City football team on Friday against top-ranked Creston.

The No. 10 Lynx scored the game’s first 19 points in a dominant opening flurry, but the Panthers settled in and used their depth to wear Webster City down and ultimately oust head coach Bob Howard’s squad in a Class 3A quarterfinal on Friday by a final of 50-27.

Despite the setback, Howard lauded the efforts of his leaders — including a 12th-grade group that helped establish the Lynx as a consistent north-central Iowa power.

“This year’s senior class carried on the examples of commitment and mental toughness that they were shown by previous classes,” said Howard, who guided Webster City to six regular-season wins for a fifth straight season in 2023 and 13th in the last 16 overall. “They started as 24 freshmen three years ago, and the 12 who stayed with the program were the ones willing to put in the time, commitment, and discipline to be successful their senior year. Whether they were three-year starters or on the field for the first time, they worked in the off-season to become the best athletes they could be.

“The other huge factor was the mental toughness of the class and the program to overcome adversity and have success against the schedule we played and have played during their four seasons.”

Webster City (8-3 ovreall) came to play, hitting paydirt three times in the first seven-plus minutes of the opening quarter. The undefeated Panthers (11-0) didn’t hit the panic button, though, and ultimately settled into a groove.

Creston scored 43 consecutive points during an impressive stretch to clinch its second UNI-Dome berth in school history. The Panthers scored twice to close the opening period and two more times before intermission, turning a 19-0 deficit into a 28-19 advantage.

“We had three possessions in a row where we had a bad snap or a fumble, and that put us behind the chains,” Howard said. “The same thing happened (during the regular season) at West Delaware.

“When they get a lead and we (are forced to) start throwing the ball, that’s tough.”

In the final game of his decorated all-state prep career, Lynx star Jaxon Cherry hit paydirt on runs of 37 and 24 yards in the first quarter. Cherry had 192 yards on 28 carries, closing his unparalleled time as a Webster City grid standout with a school-record 4,696 yards and 77 touchdowns.

Luke Estlund and Briar Klaver both found the end zone as well. Estlund broke free on a 64-yard scamper to get the scoring going less than two minutes into the tilt, and Klaver caught a TD pass from Keegan Hisler for the final Lynx points of the 2023 campaign.

Klaver also intercepted a pair of passes on defense.

Slowly but surely, the deeper Panthers — who have 25 seniors on their roster and start 17 — began to wear the Lynx down.

“They play everybody one way,” Howard said. “More power to them; when you have (more than double the number of) seniors, they can do that.

“They practice twice as much (because of the numbers), and they’re able to take chances and risks. They have a great skill group.”

Hisler, another senior and the spinback, added 102 yards rushing and 54 yards passing for Webster City.

Cael Turner threw for 264 yards and four touchdowns to spark the Creston comeback. Turner also ran for 60 yards and a score.

Brennan Hayes rushed for 98 yards on just 10 carries. He also hauled in six receptions for 99 yards.

The Lynx were trying to get back to the UNI-Dome for the first time since 2016.

Cherry, Hisler, Klaver, Trevyn Lyons, Camden Schultz, Aiden Moothart, Josh Stansfield, Shannon Sinclair, Brandon Lahr, Sam Youngdale, Landon Griffin and Jesse Crutcher suited up for the final time as Webster City football players. The Lynx reached eight victories for the third time in four seasons this fall; WCHS went 31-11 during that period of time.