Class 4A-1

CLASS 4A DISTRICT 1 PREVIEW

defending champs eye another title

By ERIC PRATT

sports@messengernews.net

Webster City used its physical style and system consistency to capture another district championship last fall.

The Lynx were hit hard by graduation losses up front, but head coach Bob Howard’s squad has the skill position players and the defense to bridge the gap and again be considered the odds-on-favorite in the Class 4A, District 1 race.

“Webster City is still the team to beat, without question,” Fort Dodge head coach Nik Moser said. “They’re tough, physical and confident in what they do and who they are. Bob Howard maximizes their potential year in and year out.”

Recent history supports Moser’s sentiments. The Lynx are 58-16 overall since 2015, with five seasons of eight wins or more during that stretch.

Last fall, no league rival came within an earshot of Webster City, which won all of its district contests by 14 points or more. After a 1-2 start to the year, Howard’s squad reeled off seven consecutive victories, scoring 35 or more points six times and allowing more than 14 only twice.

All-district selections and three-year starters Ty McKinney (QB/DB) and Connor Hanson (FB/DL) return, along with reigning offensive and defensive players of the year CJ Hisler and Jaxon Cherry, respectively.

The Lynx, who were 8-3 a year ago and 5-0 in District 1, will have to replace first team all-state offensive lineman Truman Klein. Fellow standouts Jamin Stuhr, Beau Klaver, Ben Auderer and Cody Kolbeck graduated as well after earning all-district status as seniors last fall.

“We should be competitive in the district. As always, we need to stay healthy,” said Howard, a Hall of Famer with a career record of 358-106 overall and 109-57 at WCHS. “We return 3,000-plus yards on offense (Hisler with 1,032 yards rushing, Cherry at 936, McKinney 708 and Hanson 377), and have seven starters back on defense, including several two- or three-year starters.

“All five offensive linemen and our punter graduated. But we have good team speed, depth at skill positions, and more size in the line than in 2020 or 2021.”

Howard listed the Dodgers and Spencer as district contenders, along with labeling Le Mars “a darkhorse.”

Starters Skyler Scott (LB), Keegan Hisler (LB), Austin Mason (TB/S) and Max Kumm (OL) also return, along with Brandon Lahr, Josh Stansfield, Dylan Burmette-Bingham and Brady Jessen, who all saw work in the varsity line rotation last season.

The Dodgers welcome back the all-state air tandem of quarterback Connor Carver and receiver Javion Jondle for a highlyanticipated encore. Carver threw for over 2,100 yards in 2021, completing 59 percent of his attempts and 16 touchdown strikes. Jondle caught 54 passes for 880 yards and seven scores.

Honorable mention all-district linebacker Tucker Pederson is in the mix again this year as well for Fort Dodge, along with fellow veteran starters Orion Larson-Trott (LB), Kaleb Lynch (DL), Collin Munter (OL) and Keaton Nichols (OL),

“This is going to be a really competitive district,” Moser said. “Webster City

Daily-Freeman Journal File Photo KEEGAN HISLER OF WEBSTER CITY bats down a pass during a game last season.

“We have good team speed, depth at skill positions, and more size in the line than in 2021 or 2021. ”

BOB HOWARD Webster City football coach