The #5 Indianola football team fell to #2 Norwalk Friday night in the Warren County rivalry game 21-14 as heard live on 94.3 KNIA. The Warriors struck first as Indianola blew a coverage for an 80-yard touchdown strike in the first quarter, but the defense quickly recovered and that would be the only Warriors score for the first half. Unfortunately for the Indians, the offense wouldn’t be able to muster any scoring drives and they went into halftime down 7-0. Indianola found paydirt after a 7-minute drive to open the third quarter as quarterback Andrew DeWall rushed in for a 1-yard score to tie the game. The Warriors converted a 3rd and 23 on their next drive and would eventually score to go ahead 14-7, and the Indians answered once again in the fourth on another DeWall 1-yard score to tie the score at 14. With just three minutes to go, the Indians forced a 3rd and 13, but the Warriors connected on another 60-yard touchdown strike that would seal the contest.

Head coach Eric Kluver tells KNIA Sports the Indians have to know what their style of play will be this season and play towards that if they want to be successful.

“We’re not going to win shootout games like we have the last couple of years. We are going to have to play great defense, great special teams, and we are going to have to take care of the football and put drives together to score touchdowns. Unfortunately we didn’t do that in the first half, and it was too much to overcome in the second half.”

Jake Pontier led the team with 121 rushing yards, while DeWall had the two scores on 76 rushing yards. The Indians fall to 1-1 on the season, and will host Pella next week.