Local Sports

VALIANT EFFORT

Lynx can’t get past Gilbert

GILBERT – The Webster City football team came up short here last Friday night vs. Gilbert, 27-13.

The Lynx held the Tigers off the scoreboard through the first 18 minutes before Joe Niegsch broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run. Gilbert added a field goal off the foot of Miles Manatt before the half to take a 10-0 lead.

Niegsch scored again in the third before Kaleb Hansen gave Webster City its first points of the game. Hansen darted to paydirt from 34 yards out.

Hansen again scored late in the third on a five-yard run, as Israel Torres made the extra point to cut the deficit to 20-13.

In the fourth, Gilbert added another score to secure the win.

Hansen finished with 154 yards rushing on 27 carries and the two touchdowns, as Alex Staley completed two passes for 31 yards. Grant Arends had a reception for 26.

Grayson Simonton added 71 yards rushing on 11 attempts, as the Lynx averaged almost six yards per carry.

"Kaleb and Grayson both had good games," WCHS head coach Andy Brim said. "Simonson has settled into his role and will continue to improve as he is only a sophomore. Hansen did a really nice job of running the ball patiently and being able to explode when the hole opened up.

"I thought we did a much better job of using our offensive tempo to our advantage and that helps us play all around better football."

Arends anchored the defense with eight tackles, including two for loss, and a forced fumble that was recovered by Edwin Ramos Nolasco. Hansen had 6.5 tackles and Nolasco 5.5.

"Defensively, we have continued to improve as a team," Brim said. "I thought we did a nice job of forcing Gilbert into doing some things they hadn't previously done."

Webster City returns home to host North Central Conference rival Humboldt and begin district play on Friday.