One of the most exciting preseason prospects for this year’s Norwalk football team is the experience and talent at the offensive skill positions.

The passing attack, in particular, will be something to watch when the Warriors take the field for next Friday’s season-opening game at Pella.

Senior quarterback Landon Hochstein returns as the team’s leading passer and rusher and his top three receiving targets are all back in seniors Dillon Ranck and Braeden Carlson as well as junior Keilor Rodman. Hochstein, Ranck and Carlson were all listed in the 6’3” to 6’4” range last year and give the Warriors an added height advantage at the QB and receiver positions.

As a junior, Hochstein had a hand in 26 total touchdowns. He completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 1,687 yards and 18 TDs while being intercepted just six times. He also carried the ball 122 times for a net of 411 yards and eight scores and was the team’s top punter with an average of 34.9 yards.

Hochstein was at his best in a 45-30 home win over Indianola, completing 26-of-33 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns and rushing the ball 25 times for 88 yards and three more TDs.

Ranck and Carlson had excellent seasons in 2021, combining for 87 receptions, 1,358 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Rodman’s sophomore campaign included 23 catches for 350 yards and one TD as a solid third option for Hochstein.

Norwalk coach Paul Patterson is encouraged to have so many experienced weapons back on offense, and he is also looking for big things from a few newcomers.

“Very very excited… and we’ve seen a lot of growth in those young men, too,” Patterson said of the veterans. “And then a couple of guys that we haven’t seen much of. Jackson Campbell had to fight through some injuries last year. He’s had a great summer and a good start to camp, and Skyler Olson is another (receiver) that we’re expecting big things from.

“A true newcomer for us would be Dominic Tigner at the running back position, who has just accelerated through the summer. He’s a really good wrestler and going to do great things for our wrestling team in the winter, and he’s a hard-nosed, tough runner for us so we’re excited to see what we’ve got from the skill spots.”

Norwalk finished 6-4 overall last season and tied for third place in Class 4A, District 5 with a record of 3-2. The Warriors were defeated by Webster City in the first round of the 4A playoffs.