The Norwalk football team entered its Week 6 contest at Winterset with hopes of finally putting together a complete performance. Unfortunately for the Warriors, a competitive first half turned into a sloppy second half in a 55-35 loss, as aired on KNIA3.

After a fumble on the opening drive allowed the Huskies to take the early lead, Norwalk responded with poise, eventually taking a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter. Winterset scored two unanswered touchdowns before Norwalk tied it at 21 midway through the second quarter. A late touchdown drive gave Winterset a 27-21 lead heading into halftime after it appeared Norwalk had recovered a fumble, but was ruled Winterset ball.

Winterset received the second half kickoff and needed only two plays to score. The Huskies used some trickery with a surprise onside kick on the following kickoff, which they recovered, leading to another touchdown. Norwalk only ran eight offensive plays in the third quarter.

The Huskies continued to pile it on, and two garbage time touchdowns were all the Warriors could put together in the second half. Norwalk coach Paul Patterson says that his team’s continued mistakes in all phases of the game led to yet another frustrating loss.

A chippy game was marred by 23 penalties between the two teams. Quarterback Max Juergens had two rushing touchdowns and one through the air. Norwalk falls to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in Class 3A District 8. Up next is a contest against an opponent to be determined, due to Des Moines Schools not participating in fall sports. Des Moines Hoover was the originally scheduled opponent, and the Norwalk Athletic staff is working to schedule a new opponent.