The War-Cat Trophy is staying in Norwalk.

The new-look Warrior football team opened the season in impressive fashion on Friday night, defeating Carlisle 35-7 in a non-district game heard live on the KNIA3 stream. Norwalk junior Eli Robbins and senior Dominic Tigner combined to score all five touchdowns as the Warriors showcased an improved rushing attack that lived up to its preseason billing.

Robbins, who split time between quarterback and receiver, finished the night with 170 rushing yards, 87 passing and 47 receiving. He scored three first-half touchdowns on runs of 1 and 13 yards and an athletic 28-yard TD reception from James Hatlevig. The Warriors led 21-7 at halftime and pulled away in the third quarter on a pair of Tigner scoring runs, winning their Warren County trophy game for the second straight year.

Norwalk coach Paul Patterson was pleased with his team’s performance on both sides of the ball, specifically their ability to run the football while slowing down Carlisle’s vaunted veer option. “Kicking the season off at home, trophy game, and getting a win is huge,” Patterson said. “Just a really positive start, and I love our energy, love our physicality and love where we’re headed… Just a testament to our kids as far as what they’ve done all summer and really through the first part of August getting ourselves ready for this… Carlisle looked really good on film, so you don’t know what you’re going to get, and to have this tonight was fantastic, and it’s just a great way to start things for us.”

After winning the coin toss, Norwalk elected to start the game on offense. What followed was a statement drive: nine straight runs – seven by Robbins – covering 66 yards for an opening score. The Warriors would add scoring drives of 86, 70 and 91 yards. Their only short drive (30 yards) was set up by Brady Wilkening’s fumble recovery – one of three Norwalk takeaways on the night. Patterson was extremely proud of the Warriors’ blocking, from the receivers on the outside to the interior offensive linemen.

Norwalk will play another Warren County rival in Week 2, making the short trip to Indianola for the second of four non-district games.