Webster City's Jaxon Cherry was named the Class 4A, District 1 offensive player of the year for 2022. (DFJ File Photo)

Quietly but consistently, the Webster City football program continues to produce winning teams and quality student-athletes under the direction of head coach Bob Howard.

The 2022 campaign was no exception, as seven Lynx players landed on Class 4A, District 1’s first team. Junior Jaxon Cherry was a repeat district player of the year honoree, with senior Connor Hanson being named the defensive lineman of the year.

Cherry and offensive lineman Max Kumm, a senior, were unanimous selections. They were joined by teammates Hanson, senior CJ Hisler, senior Ty McKinney, senior Dylan Burnette-Bingham and junior Keegan Hisler on the first team.

Senior Austin Mason and junior Landon Griffin landed on the second squad for Webster City. Senior Skyler Scott and sophomore Luke Estlund were honorable mention selections.

The Lynx went 6-4 overall and reached the state playoffs for the 13th time in the last 16 years. They were perched with Spencer atop the district standings with a 4-1 record.

“I’m very proud of our kids,” WCHS head coach Bob Howard said. “We faced a tough schedule, with three of our four losses coming to teams (still alive in the state quarterfinals). Once we got things straightened out with our offensive line in particular, the second half of the season we found a good rhythm.

“The last two years have been especially challenging (being one of the smaller schools in the new 4A). That’s not making excuses…it’s just reality. But our program didn’t back down. The kids have been tough and resilient, and they’ve supported each other through it all. We’ve had a lot of good leaders who set the tone.”

Since 2016, Webster City is now 64-20 overall.

Cherry was lauded for his offensive production at the tailback position one year after the district coaches tabbed him for his elite play at linebacker. The prodigious talent rushed for 1,804 yards and 31 touchdowns at 8.4 yards per attempt. The TDs tied a single-season school record, and Cherry is now only five scores away from the Lynx career mark.

“Jaxon really embraced not just his new role, but the way it worked (as a complement) to the seniors,” Howard said. “He’s obviously incredibly skilled physically and he made a big jump statistically, but he worked very hard to get to this point. And he’s a very humble kid. A multi-sport athlete who doesn’t miss any training time. He doesn’t care much about the individual stuff (awards and records). He just wants to win.”

Cherry ranks first in all-purpose yards, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 4A. On defense, the 210-pounder led Webster City in total tackles and tackles for loss.

Hanson was a rare four-year starter in Howard’s system. He was a dominant nose guard despite being undersized at 200 pounds, and on offense, he voluntarily stepped aside to get Cherry the brunt of the carries at tailback.

“If we had a team MVP, Connor would be right up there worthy of consideration,” Howard said. “He’s one of the strongest and most unselfish leaders we’ve had. Started every single game in high school, and played in a lot of pain (in 2021) when most kids would’ve bowed out. He’s just a very tough kid who is wise beyond his years.

“Connor is very deserving of (the defensive lineman award). Other coaches had a tremendous amount of respect for how much of an impact he had on the game. He always wanted what was best for the program.”

The 6-foot-2, 265-pound Kumm anchored the offensive line. Howard saw dramatic improvement in the Lynx’s production after Kumm was moved from center to tackle following a 1-2 start to the season.

“Max brought an edge to the table, so we took a gamble that we could figure something else out mid-season at center,” Howard said. “He worked his hind end off (in the winter, spring and summer) to become the player he is today. Max really helped set a good example for the rest of the linemen, both in his work and his attitude. Just a no-nonsense guy who gets the job done.”

CJ Hisler saw the varsity field in all four of his high school seasons as well. He rushed for 803 yards at over eight yards per carry this fall, while also starting on defense.

“CJ’s another physical, competitive four-sport athlete,” Howard said. “Good wrestler. Good in track. Good in baseball. These multi-sport kids set the tone and a great example for the younger kids on how to get it done and be successful in each season rather than (specializing). That’s so important at a school our size.

“CJ is also a 4.0 student and heavily involved in the community. A very productive role model.”

McKinney joined Hanson as a unique four-year regular from start to finish. He was efficient and consistent as the squad’s spinback, while also recording a team-high four interceptions on defense.

McKinney ran for 477 yards, passed for 619, and totaled 14 touchdowns.

“Ty made the spinback position look easy when it’s anything but that,” Howard said. “His ball-handling and decision making were outstanding. You’re never going to put up huge statistics, but I can count on one hand the number of botched plays we had this season, which is more important than any (individual totals).

“His dad is a coach and he’s been around sports his whole life. You always want a kid like Ty McKinney as a leader in your program. And he was just that, especially at times when things weren’t going as well. He stayed positive and never pointed fingers. Ty set a great example.”

Burnette-Bingham started on both sides of the line despite being relatively undersized at 185 pounds.

“Dylan came a long way,” Howard said. “He isn’t big, but he makes up for it with toughness and tenacity. Like Max, he brought an attitude and an identity to the line. He was a terrific two-way kid who did everything we asked and had a very solid senior year.”

Keegan Hisler was another Webster City player who made the most of a position change.

“Keegan has always been a tailback, and in most programs, he would still be,” Howard said. “But we needed him at tight end, and to his credit, he embraced it. Keegan is fast, has reliable hands as our leading receiver, and blocked incredibly well. He’s also an explosive pass rusher on defense.

“Like Jaxon, we’re going to be leaning on Keegan quite a bit to take the torch from the seniors and be even more of a leader moving forward. He holds himself to a high standard, so I’m confident he’ll be just that.”

Mason showed intelligence and steadiness in the defensive backfield as a senior.

“Austin came in and started toward the end of last year when Skyler (Scott) got hurt,” Howard said. “He didn’t really grow a ton physically, but he matured in the weight room and on the field. The hard work paid off. He benches nearly 300 pounds (despite weighing only 165).”

Griffin trimmed nearly 50 pounds from his frame and became a reliable quick tackle for Howard’s system.

“Landon got better every week and really focused on getting into game shape after missing most of last year with an injury,” Howard said. “He’s sculpted his body after getting close to 300 pounds at one point. He’s a much better and healthier athlete because of it. Having him back (in 2023) will be a big deal.”

Webster City led 4A statistically in rushing, while ranking in the Top-10 in the class for both offensive and defensive points scored. The Lynx were ousted at fourth-ranked Iowa City Liberty last Friday, 24-14.

The Lightning have twice as many players — and students at LHS — as Webster City.

“It was kind of the classic suburban school against a smaller, more rural community, but we were right there (despite the odds),” Howard said. “I told the kids afterward that you want to get beat, rather than losing the game. The other team should have to earn it. And they did.

“This senior class is a special one, and should be remembered for years to come. Football is a numbers and a resources game. But when we saw we had drawn Liberty (in the first round), there wasn’t any complaining or sulking. These kids put their heads down and went to work, week after week, all season long and throughout their careers. That’s all you can ask for as a coach, and our community should be very proud of that.”