Webster City’s Jaxon Griffith runs the ball last season. The Lynx opens at home against Iowa Falls-Alden on Friday night. (DFJ file photo)

A North Central Conference rival awaits the Webster City football team in Week 1, as the Lynx host Iowa Falls-Alden here Friday night.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Coming off a 3-6 campaign in his first season as head coach, Andy Brim has an experienced group back led by seniors Aiden Hrnicek, Jaxon Griffith, Gavin Wynkoop, Carter Mickelson, Dawson Bertran, Eli Estlund and twin brothers Beau and Cole Nohrenberg.

Griffith was a playmaker on offense last season, sharing running back duties with Cael Nixon. He finished with 824 yards and four touchdowns, averaging over eight yards per rush. Hrnicek stepped in for Luke Estlund after his injury, rushing for 210 yards while completing six passes.

Mickelson was the leading receiver for Webster City a year ago and also one of the top returning tacklers on defense with Hrnicek, Bertran, Griffith, Estlund and Wynkoop.

Both Hrnicek and Griffith had over 50 tackles and a combined 8.5 for loss, as Griffith will handle return duties once again. Last year, he posted 23.5 yards per kickoff return with a 96-yard touchdown.

Iowa Falls-Alden is coming off three consecutive 2-7 seasons since going 6-4 in 2021. They will feature Cade Olberding at quarterback, as the junior threw for 661 yards and ran for a team-high 489 with four touchdowns as a sophomore.

Olberding’s top receivers have graduated, as Karson Kalous looks to improve upon his 19-reception, 201-yard season a year ago. Brody McNeal, Collin Pieper and Kyler Patton are also back.

This will be the first meeting between the Lynx and Cadets since 2016, when Webster City posted a 42-7 win for its seventh straight victory in the series. They have won eight of nine overall since 2008.