The last 2 seasons have been a resurgence to the success of yesteryear for Roland-Story football. The Norsemen are coming off back-to-back district runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024, putting together a cumulative record 13-6 in that time frame. For head coach Matt Finn, his program has built from the ground up after an 0-7 campaign in his first season in 2020, but in 2025, the Norsemen are looking to take the next step in search of the ever-elusive district title.
Offense
It truly is a mixed-bag returning for the Roland-Story offense in 2025, with a running back room and receiver group chalked full of experience, but a new quarterback and almost entirely new offensive line to try and break in. Colin Willis is the name to watch at quarterback, as the sophomore took over for the injured Sam Knoll in the Norsemen’s playoff loss to Crestwood last season. Beside him is a running back group that’s more than eager to carry the load with leading rusher Ben Mazyck, Cody Long, and perhaps a breakout running back candidate in Class 2A with Fiston Carlson, who missed much of last season with an injury. The receiving room is chalked full of experience as well, with leading receiver Luke Thoreson back, as well as Logan Smith, Aiden Frey and Cody Long, whose versatility can split him out wide or put him in the backfield. The offensive line will be a big rebuilding project, as names to watch up front include Carter Barber, Chance Georgious, Jake Rogers, Roman Stotts, Eli Van Hove, Isaac Miskell and Gavin Jeter.
Defense
The Norsemen’s 3-3-5 defense implemented under defensive coordinator DJ Hawkins in 2024 was a glove-like fit for some of the high-flying athletes in the second and third levels, as 2025 should be no different. Roland-Story will have to replace 2 key pieces at linebacker in Garrett Nerem and Charlie Watts, as names to watch include Tucker Hawkins, Cael Vermeer and Kaevon Woods, along with returnee Carter Barber, who tallied 41.5 tackles in 2024. The secondary is chalked full of experience, led by 2024’s leading tackler in Cody Long, who led the Norsemen with 60.5 tackles, 5 TFL and 2 interceptions, as his uber-aggressive style added some attitude to Roland-Story’s 3-3-5. Also back is Aiden Frey, who had 16.5 tackles, 2 picks and a pick six, as well as Luke Thoreson, Logan Smith and Blake Larson, who all tallied interceptions in 2024. The defensive line will be a rebuild and perhaps a reload, with players such as Jake Rogers, Gavin Jeter and Chance Georgious to watch as breakout candidates up front.