Roland-Story fends off Iowa Falls-Alden 42-29

The Roland-Story Norsemen made the trip to northern Hardin County on Friday night, to take on the Cadets of Iowa Falls-Alden in Class 2A, District 7 action at Cadet Field. Roland-Story entered Friday with a 3-2 record and a 2-0 district record, while Iowa Falls-Alden entered with an 0-5 record and 0-2 in district play.

Roland-Story started out of the gates quickly thanks to their defense, as Gavin Carpenter picked off a deflected Ethan Bartlett pass that set the Norsemen up with a short-field. Jonovan Wilkinson would punch in a short touchdown run to make the score 7-0. Iowa Falls-Alden would then reach into their bag of tricks, with Jaiden Damiano connecting with Andrew Bicknese on a reverse pass for 73 yards. The drive would be capped off by a Kacen Boyer touchdown run to make the score 7-7. Roland-Story would answer by marching down the field, with Hesston Johnson sneaking in from a yard out to make the score 13-7 after a failed PAT. The Cadets would strike back and take control for much of the 2nd quarter, with Kacen Boyer ripping off a 65-yard touchdown run to put IF-A up 14-13. A Jaden Damiano field goal put the Cadets up 17-13, before Roland-Story would execute a sharp last minute drive, with Hesston Johnson scrambling for a 2-yard touchdown as time expired in the first half to give the Norsemen a 21-17 lead after a successful 2-point conversion.

The 2nd half would prove to be just as entertaining as the first half, with Roland-Story marching down the field behind Jonovan Wilkinson, who punched in a 5-yard touchdown run to put the Norsemen up 28-17. Iowa Falls-Alden would march down on the ensuing drive, with Kacen Boyer adding his 3rd touchdown of the night to bring the score to 28-23. The Norsemen would immediately answer with a big play, as Jonovan Wilkinson ripped the game wide-open for Roland-Story with an 80-yard touchdown run to put them up 35-23. Wilkinson would be the Jewell Market Player of the Game, rushing for 219 yards and 3 touchdowns. Luke Patton would then provide the back-breaker on a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown to put the Norsemen up 42-23. The Cadets would get a 4th touchdown from Kacen Boyer in garbage time to bring the final to 42-29.

Roland-Story moves to 4-2 on the season and 3-0 in district play, and hosts West Marshall on Friday in a de facto district title game. Iowa Falls-Alden drops to 0-6 overall and 0-3 in the district, and will travel to Albia on Friday.