The Norwalk football team hosts their first postseason game in five years tonight, taking on Cedar Rapids Xavier in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. The matchup of 6-3 teams kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA as well as kniakrls.com (KNIA3). Pregame coverage starts at 6:30.

This is the first-ever meeting between the Warriors and Saints. Xavier is making its 19th consecutive playoff appearance – a run that includes four state titles and three runner-up trophies. Norwalk has now qualified for the playoffs 16 times overall, highlighted by a 3A state runner-up finish in 2015.

The start of the postseason brings with it cooler, playoff-like weather, and Norwalk coach Paul Patterson knows that his season-long mantra of running the football and stopping the run will be put to the test against Xavier. Patterson tells KNIA/KRLS Sports that the Warriors must be balanced and a little unpredictable tonight to be successful.

“One hundred percent – they’re going to run the football and they’re going to try to establish the run,” Patterson said of Xavier. “We’re going to try and take advantage of some of the matchups that we think we like, especially offensively, and then what kind of game do we have? Are we able to throw the ball a little bit, are we able to take some pressure off the run game? And then are we able to do enough in our run game to open up some of the passing, and can we be balanced enough in order to keep them on their toes so that we’re pretty effective when it comes to whatever it is that we decide to do.”

Xavier lost three regular-season games by a combined 10 points against Western Dubuque, Pella and Clear Creek-Amana. The Saints are not flashy, Patterson says, but rely instead on being fundamentally sound, disciplined and skilled at what they do best. Junior running back Carter Hoffmann is one of the team’s most talented players, averaging 6.9 yards per carry in totaling 1,055 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. The Xavier defense has 13 takeaways.

Norwalk quarterback James Hatlevig has passed for 1,423 yards and 16 scores while running back Dominic Tigner is coming off a career game last Friday with 33 carries, 222 yards and three TDs against Glenwood. Defensively, the Warriors are up to 20 takeaways.

Patterson says that Norwalk must play smart, consistent football and be ready to capitalize on any Xavier mistakes in order to come out on top. Tonight’s winner will advance to the Class 4A quarterfinal round and face North Polk or Fort Dodge next Friday.