The 2021 Norwalk football season came to a close Friday in the first round of the playoffs with a loss at Webster City. After the game, 19 seniors in the program took off their pads for the final time as a Norwalk Warrior, eight of whom were starters. While the season ended earlier than they wanted, Head Coach Paul Patterson says this class saw incredible progression throughout their years.

“The biggest thing is the way they responded from 2-6 last year. From third through ninth grade, they won around five or six games total. For them to come in here, after not having a very good junior season as far as the record, and all the distractions and changes that were made last year in the 2020 season, to come back and get in the playoffs. But at the end of the day, the growth they made from the time they joined our program in ninth grade to now is tremendous.”

Norwalk finished 6-4 overall and 3-2 in district play, good for a third place finish and wild card berth in the playoffs.