HUMBOLDT — North Central Conference rivals Humboldt and Webster City engaged in an old-school tug-of-war here Friday night in the season opener.

Behind a field goal from Trever Beach and a pick-6 by Kaleb McCullough, the Wildcats prevailed, 10-0.

Beach knocked in a 27-yarder late in the third for the first points of the game. It would remain that way until McCullough picked off a Ty McKinney pass and darted to the end zone.

“I am so proud of our kids,” Humboldt head coach Derrick Elman said. “They fought all night on defense and never gave up. I am really proud of the way our guys have stepped into key positions.

“Our 21 seniors have stepped up big time and our offensive line made some big growth throughout the game.”

McCullough, one of a handful of returning starters from last year when Humboldt reached the state semifinals, credited his teammates with overcoming mistakes to earn the win.

“It felt awesome to start off the season this way,” he said. “We kinda beat ourselves with all the fumbles, but our defense played a huge role. They run a pretty tricky offense with a good backfield, so holding them scoreless was huge.

“We have an inexperienced offensive line and it felt great to get to work with those new guys.”

Josh Thurm, taking over for all-state quarterback and current Iowa State Cyclone Caden Matson, completed 11 of 19 passes and ran for 36 yards. Will Orness, a returning all-state receiver for the Wildcats, caught four passes for 63 yards, while Beach had two for 44.

Lance Coon ran for 48 yards and Mason Van Pelt had three catches for 19.

On defense, Ty Gargano recorded 8.5 tackles, Owen Hubbell had 7.5 tackles including three for loss, and Carrson Bothne had two tackles for loss.

“We were able to grind down drives at the end of the game that helped run the clock out,” Elman said. “Josh did a great job managing things, Lance ran really well and Will picked up right where he left off.

“The defense played lights out led by Ty.”

Webster City (0-1) was held to 178 total yards of offense, including just 3.2 yards per carry on the ground. Jaxon Cherry had 76 yards, McKinney ran for 39 and threw for 47, and CJ Hisler caught three passes for 43 yards.

Hisler also led the way on defense with six tackles, while Dylan Burnette-Bingham had 5.5 and Cherry five.

“It was a dog fight all night and at the end of the game, it felt pretty good scoring that touchdown,” McCullough said. “It kinda happened so fast. I’m pretty sure all the coaches were yelling to get down, but all I had on my mind was finding the end zone.”