ANOTHER TEST
Lynx hit the road to face No. 5 Algona
ALGONA — The closing stretch of the regular season will test the Webster City football team.
The Lynx head to Algona on Friday to meet the fifth-ranked (Class 3A) Bulldogs, before wrapping up the year next week at No. 4 (3A) Humboldt.
Both games are slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Webster City (3-4 overall, 2-1 in district) still holds control of its own destiny, as wins over the Bulldogs (6-1, 2-1) and Wildcats (6-1, 3-0) would mean an automatic playoff bid.
Back-to-back victories have momentum on the side of the Lynx and head coach Andy Brim, as they survived a two-point win over Hampton-Dumont/CAL before throttling Charles City last week, 42-21.
Cael Nixon rushed for 275 yards and four touchdowns on 34 carries in that game, giving him 668 and seven TDs on the year. Jaxon Griffith holds a slim squad lead with 672 yards on the ground and four TDs, while Luke Estlund has 189 and five scores in limited playing time.
Estlund, who has been injured in recent weeks, also has 124 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns to Carter Mickelson and Jayden Weinzetl.
The Webster City defense, which has forced nine turnovers and has 7.5 sacks, will be tested by a new-look Algona attack.
In a loss to Humboldt last week, the Bulldogs also lost quarterback and Iowa State University commit Alex Manske for the season. Manske, a three-time all-stater, suffered an injury to the UCL in his throwing arm that will require surgery.
Nathan Manske, a sophomore and the younger brother of Alex, slides in having thrown for 91 yards and a TD. He has plenty of weapons with juniors William Weichert, Evan Allie and Tyson VanDeWalle, along with seniors Tate Slagle and fellow Cyclone commit Jack Limbaugh.
Webster City leads the series since 2008, 8-3, including a 47-0 victory last year. The Lynx defense held Algona without a passing yard and to just 69 yards rushing in a rainstorm.