Photo by Larry Peterson: Webster City players hoist their Class 3A state playoff trophy on Friday night in Creston.

CRESTON — Webster City came to play in its Class 3A state quarterfinal showdown with top-ranked Creston on Friday night.

Unfortunately, the undefeated Panthers didn’t hit the panic button and ultimately settled into a groove. Creston brushed off an early 19-0 deficit, scoring 43 consecutive points during an impressive stretch on its way to a 50-27 victory over the Lynx and a UNI-Dome berth for just the second time in school history.

Head coach Bob Howard’s squad landed the first, second and third blows in the contest, as Webster City (8-3 overall) scored three touchdowns in the first seven-plus minutes to leave the home Panther crowd stunned. But Creston (11-0) answered back with a pair of scores before the opening period ended, and by halftime, the home squad held a 28-19 advantage.

“We had three possessions in a row where we had a bad snap or a fumble, and that put us behind the chains,” Howard said. “The same thing happened (during the regular season) at West Delaware.

“When they get a lead and we (are forced to) start throwing the ball, that’s tough.”

In the final game of his decorated all-state prep career, Lynx star Jaxon Cherry hit paydirt on runs of 37 and 24 yards in the first quarter. Cherry had 114 yards on 24 carries.

Luke Estlund and Briar Klaver both found the end zone as well. Estlund broke free on a 64-yard scamper to get the scoring going less than two minutes into the tilt, and Klaver caught a TD pass from Keegan Hisler for the final Lynx points of the 2023 campaign.

Klaver also intercepted a pair of passes on defense.

Slowly but surely, the deeper Panthers — who have 25 seniors on their roster and start 17 — began to wear the Lynx down.

“They play everybody one way,” Howard said. “More power to them; when you have (more than double the number of) seniors, they can do that.

“They practice twice as much (because of the numbers), and they’re able to take chances and risks. They have a great skill group.”

Hisler, another senior and the spinback, added 113 yards rushing and 44 yards passing for Webster City.

Cael Turner threw for 264 yards and four touchdowns to spark the Creston comeback. Turner also ran for 60 yards and a score.

Brennan Hayes rushed for 98 yards on just 10 carries. He also hauled in six receptions for 99 yards.

The Panthers’ only other UNI-Dome trip as a program came in 2014. The Lynx were trying to get back for the first time since 2016.

Cherry, Hisler, Klaver, Trevyn Lyons, Camden Schultz, Aiden Moothart, Josh Stansfield, Shannon Sinclair, Brandon Lahr, Sam Youngdale, Landon Griffin and Jesse Crutcher suited up for the final time as Webster City football players on Friday. The Lynx reached eight victories for the third time in four seasons this fall; WCHS went 31-11 during that period of time.