The Roland-Story Norsemen football team returned to action on Friday night, as they hosted the Greene County Rams in Class 2A, District 8 action at Kerry Van Winkle Field in Story City for the Norsemen’s homecoming. Roland-Story entered at 3-2 and 1-1 in district play, while Greene County also entered at 3-2 and 1-1 in district play.
Roland-Story started the night with the ball, and slice right through the Greene County defense as Hesston Johnson found Jonovan Wilkinson out of a wildcat package for a 19-yard touchdown pass to put Roland-Story up 7-0. Greene County’s offense would go three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and Jonovan Wilkinson would field the Nathan Behne punt, and return it 52 yards for a touchdown to put the Norsemen up 14-0. Roland-Story would strike again early in the 2nd quarter, following a missed Greene County field goal, as Hesston Johnson took a hand off down the near sideline for an 80-yard touchdown run to put the Norsemen up 21-0. Greene County would finally get on the board on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Gabe Ebersole to Jack Hansen on 4th and 1, to bring the score to 21-7. Roland-Story would answer right away, marching down the field in 3 plays as Hesston Johnson broke away for a 32-yard touchdown run to make it 28-7 Norsemen. Greene County would answer on a risky 4th down call from their own 28, but Gabe Ebersole again found Jack Hansen, this time for a 72-yard touchdown reception to make the score 28-14. The scoring would not slow down, as following a Cody Long interception, quarterback Sam Knoll found Wilkinson for a 40-yard touchdown pass to put the Norsemen up 35-14. Roland-Story forced a 3-and-out on the following drive, and would march down and have Wilkinson punch in his 4th touchdown from 2 yards out to make it 42-14.
Scoring would still be had late in the first half, Greene County answered with a 3-yard touchdown run by Camden Strennen, set up by 77-yard Jack Hansen reception to make it 42-21 Roland-Story, but freshman Fiston Carlson re-extended the lead on the following drive with a 68-yard touchdown run to make the halftime score 49-21 in favor of Roland-Story. The Norsemen would come out and continue to punish on the ground in the 2nd half, capping off their first drive with a Hesston Johnson 2-yard touchdown run to make it 56-21 Norsemen. But, Jack Hansen of Greene County struck again, this time a 38-yard touchdown reception to make it 56-28. Both teams would trade possessions into the final moments, as Fiston Carlson punched in the final touchdown of the night from 13 yards out to make it 62-28 Roland-Story. Nathan Behne would knock through a 32-yard field goal as time expired to bring the final to 62-31.
LINK: Highlight’s from Roland-Story’s 62-31 win over Greene County
Roland-Story would churn out 565 yards of total offense, as Jonovan Wilkinson was the Jewell Market Player of the Game with 180 all-purpose yards and 4 touchdowns. Hesston Johnson would have 221 yards of total offense (191 rushing, 30 passing) and 4 touchdowns as well. Greene County quarterback Gabe Ebersole was 23/41 for 464 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, and Rams receiver Jack Hansen had a historic night, with 10 receptions for 328 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Norsemen return to action on Friday, when they travel to Urbandale to take on Des Moines Christian in Class 2A, District 8 action at DMC High School.