Photo by David Borer: Senior all-stater Jaxon Cherry of Webster City runs the ball last week against Humboldt at Lynx Field.

WEBSTER CITY — No football player from Webster City High School — today or maybe even ever — stands out on his own quite like Jaxon Cherry.

The individual statistics. The laundry list of records and accomplishments. The impressive frame. The infectious smile.

And therein lies the dichotomy.

Cherry has every reason in the world to feel like a star. To make this about himself. To expect preferential treatment.

Football is the ultimate team game, though. And no one embraces that concept more than Cherry.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior understands why the spotlight shines brightly on him — but that doesn’t mean he feels comfortable in it.

“Jaxon has led with an example of commitment and hard work for the past three years,” said Hall of Fame Webster City head coach Bob Howard. “By far his greatest strength is his humility and team-first attitude. He’s never cared about stats or publicity, and has always placed the team ahead of himself.”

Cherry ranks as the program’s all-time leading rusher — an impressive accomplishment, coming from a school known for them. He does it in a variety of ways: if tough yards are needed, Cherry will get it in bruising fashion. If he has to be patient and wait for his blockers, Cherry shows tremendous vision and a deft feel for finding the holes as they develop. If he needs to sprint away from defenders in the open field, well, he’s more than capable of that, too.

“The thing I’ve learned that has stuck with me is that you want to be respected and feared at the same time,” said Cherry, a 2022 first team all-state selection who led Class 4A in rushing yards, all purpose yards and rushing touchdowns. “Webster City made me who I am today — as (both) a person and athlete.

“I’m very proud of the whole team. The difference between the start of the season and now is that we’re clicking together and having fun.”

The 10th-ranked Lynx were a little slow out of the gates this year, but they’ve found their stride at crunch time. Consecutive losses to West Delaware and Clear Lake left Webster City at 3-2 with little margin for error; since that point, the team has gone 4-0 and outscored its opponents, 157-26.

Despite dealing with a few nagging injuries, Cherry has been his usual dominant self on both sides of the ball down the stretch. He had 110 yards and three touchdowns with five tackles for loss in a rout of previously-ranked Hampton-Dumont/CAL; he ran for 218 yards, four scores and recorded three tackles for loss in a 47-0 whitewashing of another Top-10 foe in Algona; and he closed out the regular season in style with 234 yards, three TDs and a team-best eight tackles in a 26-7 revenge victory over Humboldt.

Despite missing the Charles City contest a few weeks ago, Cherry still ranks atop the Class 3A rushing charts at 1,499 yards in 2023. He is second in touchdowns at 21. The linebacker is also third in the class with 19 tackles for loss on the defensive side of the ball.

This season alone, Cherry has surpassed a number of career milestones. He is the school’s all-time leader for rushing yards (4,304) and touchdowns (72).

Cherry’s success — and consistency — is no coincidence.

“He’s been a multi-sport athlete throughout high school — football, wrestling (two-time state placewinner), track (state qualifier) — while performing at very high levels in the sport during (those respective) seasons,” Howard said. “He has remained disciplined with his strength and speed training. Discipline and commitment will certainly be big assets going forward, particularly when focused in one area.”

The Lynx have an aggregate record of 30-10 over the past four seasons, with four consecutive playoff appearances. Webster City (7-2 overall) will host Nevada (7-2) in a 3A first-round contest this Friday, as Howard leads his 30th team all-time into the postseason.

Cherry continues to play the waiting game with the recruiting process. He has one Div. I offer — from Marshall University — but several FBS and FCS programs remain interested.

“I’m going to play football as long as I physically can,” Cherry said. “I’ll probably make my (school choice) during track season. I’d like to help a team (in college) any way I can at any position they need me.”

Howard sees a bright future for Cherry at the next level.

“I would think Jaxon’s old-school humility, discipline, and team-first attitude would be a refreshing factor for modern recruiters (who are constantly) dealing with social media and me-first recruits,” Howard said. “Football-wise, Jaxon Cherry has the most God-given physical talent — combining size and speed and working to develop that talent — that I have coached (in 47 years on the sidelines).

“Jaxon would be an asset to any program.”

For now, Cherry is only thinking about Friday and Nevada. He has his family, friends, coaches and community to thank for staying grounded as the honors and recognition continue to pile up.

“My family comes to every single one of my games,” Cherry said. “I was influenced the most growing up watching my older brother, James, play sports (as an all-state football player and wrestler with the Lynx). I’ve always tried to be a better athlete than him.”

Howard called Cherry — also the school’s 2023 Homecoming king — a “pied piper” in and around the community.

“Jaxon’s influence outside of the athletic department is most easily seen when he is around the elementary kids,” Howard said. “They flock to him. He’s always willing to spend time with anyone, but I think he particularly enjoys the younger kids.

“He’s always been a great example and someone they want to emulate.”