For the fourth time in six weeks, the Norwalk football team is back on the road tonight for a Class 4A, District 6 contest at Dallas Center-Grimes. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. on kniakrls.com (KNIA3), with pregame coverage starting at 6:30.

The Warriors moved up to No. 8 in the latest BCMoore Class 4A rankings following last week’s 37-17 home victory over Winterset. An improved ground attack highlighted the win as Dominic Tigner and Isaac Sutcliffe combined for 127 of the team’s 138 net rushing yards. Aidan Harder passed for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

Norwalk is now 4-1 overall and 1-0 in district play, while DC-G stands at 2-3 and 1-0, respectively, after shutting out Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson 35-0. Known best for their tough, defensive-minded teams over the years, the Mustangs have posted a pair of shutouts through five games and have yet to allow more than 24 points. Norwalk coach Paul Patterson says that DC-G is solid and sound in what they do out of their 3-4 base defense, with good pass coverage behind it.

“They do a great job of being gap sound and pursue to the football; they’re physical, they run well and they don’t give up big plays,” Patterson said.

Senior Dayne Mauk leads the DC-G defense with eight tackles for loss and two sacks while junior Tate Perrin has picked off five interceptions. The team’s featured running back is Eli Carpenter, who has gained 442 yards and five touchdowns. Veteran quarterback Ty Mikkelsen has thrown for 658 yards and seven TDs while being intercepted five times.

Coach Patterson points to line play as a big factor in tonight’s matchup. He would like to see his defensive front win some battles against the Mustang offensive line and ultimately force DC-G into as many third-and-long situations as possible. Offensively, Patterson says that tackles Carter Eden and Zach Sexton must handle a good pass rush while the interior line stands up against DC-G’s size.

Patterson is pleased to be 4-1 against the Warriors’ tough schedule thus far, adding that the team must improve in the penalty department if they want to be in the mix for a playoff run at the end of the season. Norwalk has been flagged 44 times through Week 5 compared to just 25 penalties for the opposition.