Crazy things can happen in Week 9, but the postseason formula is likely a simple one tonight for the Norwalk football team. Win at Glenwood and the Warriors are almost a lock to make the playoffs with an automatic or at-large berth. Lose and the season is probably over.
The Warriors and Rams will kick things off at 7:00 p.m. in Glenwood. The game can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA as well as kniakrls.com (KNIA3). Pregame coverage starts at 6:30.
Norwalk enters the contest with an overall record of 5-3, a Class 4A RPI ranking of 10th and a fourth-place District 6 mark of 2-2. Glenwood is 6-2 overall, tied for third in the RPI and tied for second in District 6 with Dallas Center-Grimes at 3-1.
Norwalk coach Paul Patterson tells KNIA-KRLS Sports that there are several things the Warriors must do well tonight in order to extend their season. Recognizing formations and tendencies on both sides of the ball will be key, he says, along with distributing the football to all of the team’s playmakers on offense and limiting Glenwood’s big plays and scoring opportunities on defense. The Warriors must also take care of the football after turning it over five times in last week’s 42-13 loss to Lewis Central.
“I think if we can get all that done, and we’re locked into understanding that this means we either get to continue or we’re done, can we play our best football game of the year?” Patterson says.
Glenwood features a balanced offense that is nearly 50/50 in rushing and passing yards. Senior quarterback Kayden Anderson is an NCAA Division I baseball prospect while senior Payton Longmeyer is the Rams’ big-play receiver. Senior Parker Getter anchors the offensive line at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds.
Patterson says that the theme at practice this week has been desire; namely, what do you want and how hard are you willing to work to accomplish it? He has been impressed by the Warriors’ tempo, physicality and competition during practices and is hopeful that it will all translate to game night and a signature victory tonight.
Norwalk volleyball team tops Carlisle in four-set regional match
The Norwalk volleyball team advanced to a third straight regional final on Thursday night, defeating Carlisle in four sets in a Class 4A, Region 4 semifinal at Norwalk.
The 10th-ranked Warriors won the first two sets 25-21, 25-19 before the No. 15 Wildcats extended the match with a marathon 30-28 win in set three. Norwalk finished things off in set four 25-19, improving to 25-14 overall and setting the stage for Tuesday’s regional championship match at 8th-ranked North Polk. The Comets (29-9) survived a five-set scare with Boone in the semifinal round.
Norwalk coach John Fulton tells KNIA-KRLS Sports that he was proud of his team for what he called a gritty and gutsy effort against a tough Carlisle opponent. “Our defense was scrappy all night and made it tough for Carlisle to score easy points, and we were able to find enough offense to get through,” Fulton said. “Addie Fisher stepped up on the right side for us and had some big kills in big moments. And our middles and outsides always gave us a swing.”
Carlisle finished the season with an overall record of 24-8.
First serve for Tuesday’s Region 4 final at North Polk is set for 7:00 p.m.