Four Messenger-area teams will put unbeaten records on the line in two key area matchups one week before they dive into district play.

Third-ranked Algona (3-0 overall) will travel to Webster City (3-0) and sixth-ranked South Central Calhoun (3-0) will head to Southeast Valley (3-0). Both the Lynx and Jaguars are just outside of the rankings in Class 3A and 2A respectively.

The Bulldogs ended a seven-game losing streak against the Lynx last season, earning a 34-21 victory. Webster City has won seven of the last nine meetings by an average of 32 points.

The Titans defeated the Jaguars 49-6 a season ago, a loss that prompted Southeast Valley into a six-game winning streak and a perfect 5-0 record in district play.

South Central Calhoun leads the series 3-0, beating the Jaguars by an average of 24 points.

Pocahontas Area (2-1) looks for a two-game win streak as they host Alta-Aurelia (1-2). Humboldt (0-3) will try to break into the win column as they hit the road to face Spencer (1-2) and Manson Northwest Webster (1-2) will look to shake a two-game slide with a trip to Jewell to meet South Hamilton (1-2).

No. 3 Algona (3-0) at Webster City (3-0)

Algona has cruised through the first three games of their schedule, defeating their opponents by an average of 32.6 points. They’re coming off a 34-14 victory over Emmetsburg.

Last week sophomore quarterback Tyler Manske threw for 143 yards and a touchdown, going 9-for-12.

On the ground, senior Sammonte Bawden had 81 yards on nine carries, while senior Wyatt Wegener had 79 yards on seven totes and a score.

Through the first three contests, the Bulldogs have given up 672 yards, 400 coming against Humboldt in the season opener. Algona’s defense has allowed only 290 yards on the ground, an average of 96.6.

Algona’s offense is just as effective as they have two games with over 500 yards of total offense and have 1,465 yards on the season, an average of 488 per contest.

The three-headed monster of seniors Wegener, Bawden and Garrett Schmidt have been a force on the ground.

Wegener has reached the end zone seven times on 20 attempts. He has rushed for 379 yards, an average of 19 per carry. Wegener is also the leading receiver, with 12 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Wegener has 808 all-purpose yards.

Bawden has 26 totes for 245 yards and two scores, an average of 9.4 yards per touch. Schmidt has 187 hards with2 5 carries and two scores.

The Bulldogs are just as tough through the air, as Manske has thrown for 548 yards and six touchdowns. He is 27-for-39.

Senior Elliot Berland has two rushing and two receving touchdowns.

Webster City beat Waterloo East, 48-32 last week, which was their 18th straight loss.

The Lynx have been a monster on the ground, rushing for 834 yards and have had two back go over 100 yards each in the last two games.

Last week against East, junior Trey Mathis ran for 183 yard on 24 carries and four scores. Senior Garrett Whitmore had 14 totes for 130 and two touchdowns and also caught a touchdown pass. The Lynx rushed for 351 yards in the contest.

This season, Mathis has carried the ball 70 times for 421 yards and 10 touchdowns. Whitmore has 43 touches for 359 yards and three scores.

No. 6 South Central Calhoun (3-0) at Southeast Valley (3-0)

South Central Calhoun has been stingey on defense, giving up only one touchdown, while outscoring their opponents 105-6. Through three games the Titans have given up only 384 yards (146 through the air and 236 on the ground).

In their win against IKM-Manning last week, South Central Calhoun didn’t allow a passing yard and only 45 on the ground.

On offense against IKM-Manning Cole Corey was 9-for-14 passing for 115 yards and a 10-yard touchdown strike to Daniel Stevens.

Blake McAlister had six carries for 81 yards and a 61-yard touchdown, while Brennan Holder had a 42-yard score and Corey added a three-yard jaunt. Landon Schleisman was the leading rusher with 91 yards.

The Titans have put together a balanced offensive attack, throwing for 380 yards, while rushing for 681 through three games.

On the season, Corey is 25-for-41 for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Chase Scheidegger has five grabs for 96 yards and a score.

On the ground the Titans have five running backs with two touchdowns each. Schleisman has 29 carries for 181 and two scores, while McAlister has 117 for two and Keagen meyer has 116 for two scores. Brennan Holder and Corey also have two touchdowns on the ground.

The Jaguars handed Belmond-Klemme their first loss of the season last week, 34-18 and are looking to keep a strong balanced scoring attack going.

On the season they have rushed for 501 yards and thrown for 358. Sophomore Lathe Muench has carried the ball 62 times for 396 yards and six touchdowns.

In the air, quarterback Hunter Kruse is 18-for-38 for 345 yards and four scores. Chase Swieter has caught eight balls for 148 ayrds and two touchdowns. Carter Lane and Kolson Kruse also have receiving touchdowns.

Alta-Aurelia (1-2) at Pocahontas Area (2-1)

Pocahontas Area has used an aerial attack in both its victories this season, as quarterback Trey Oehlertz has thrown for 518 yards and four touchdowns. In Week 3 they earned a 31-0 victory over Manson Northwest Webster.

Oehlertz was 13-for-26 passing for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Cole Runneberg had a rushing touchdown, while Luke Crosgrove and Cade Henrickson caught scoring strikes.

On the season Oehlertz has four touchdown passes and Cooper Christians and Runneberg also have touchdown catches.

Alta-Aurelia’s Anthony Krier has 297 yards rushing and three touchdowns, while quarterback Logan McCoy has thrown for 102 yards.

Humboldt (0-3) at Spencer (1-2)

After two straight home games, Humboldt hits the road to face Spencer, who is coming off their first win of the season, 28-0 over MOC-Floyd Valley.

The Wildcats suffered a 26-15 loss to Storm Lake last week. Jacob Thurm threw for 110 yards, while Jamison Heinz had 63 yards rushing on 18 attempts and two touchdowns.

On the season Thurm has thrown for 364 yards and three scores. Matt Miller is the leading receiver with nine grabs for 67 yards and Gabe Gidel has eight catches for 73 yards. Eight different receivers have catches for the Wildcats.

Heinz has rushed for 300 yards on 58 carries and has four touchdowns.

Gage Garnztz has 297 yards passing with two scores, while Isaiah Spencer is the leading rusher with 173 yards on 28 totes and a score. Garnatz has three rushing touchdowns.

Other area games: Hampton-Dumont (0-3) at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows (1-2); Eagle Grove (0-3) at South Hardin (2-1); East Sac County (1-2) at IKM-Manning (0-3); Gilbert (2-1) at No. 5 Greene County (3-0); Emmetsburg (1-2) at Cherokee Washington (1-2); North Union (2-1) at Lake Mills (2-1); Newell-Fonda (2-1) at Kingsley-Pierson (0-3); West Bend-Mallard (1-3) at Siouxland Christian (0-2).