The Roland-Story Norsemen football team returns to action on Friday night, when they travel to State Center to take on the West Marshall Trojans in their non-district finale at West Marshall High School. West Marshall leads the all-time series between the 2 Heart of Iowa Conference rivals by a margin of 28-13, as West Marshall won the most recent meeting in the rivalry in 2022 by a score of 41-7.
West Marshall enters Friday with a 1-1 record with an opening week loss to (1A) #4 South Hardin 28-7, then defeating a 2A foe in New Hampton 28-6 in their home opener in Week 2. The Trojans are led by junior Blayk Hart at quarterback, who’s thrown for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns, but with 3 interceptions. Hart has been a very capable runner, rushing for 247 yards, as running back Kinnick Geers has rushed for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns. Geers has been Hart’s favorite target in the passing game, catching 6 passes for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns, while other receivers in the passing game include sophomores in Drake Whitaker, Teegun Edler and junior Beckham Desotel. West Marshall does have size on the offensive line, which includes Brady Larson, Dylan Tompkins and 6-5, 320 lbs senior Luke Steward.
On the defensive side, the Trojans defense has been very productive at all 3 levels. On the defensive line, athletes such as Brady Larson and Luke Steward are space eaters on the interior, as Dalton Eldridge and Beckham Desotel have wreaked havoc as EDGE rushers. Eldridge has totaled a team-high 17 tackles with 5 TFL and 2.5 sacks, while Desotel has 9.5 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 TFL. West Marshall’s interior linebackers have been quiet to start the year, although Connor Yakel still has 10.5 tackles, while Ryder Gile has 7.5 tackles and 2.5 TFL. Kinnick Geers leads the defensive backfield with 14.5 tackles, a TFL and 2 interceptions, as Teegun Edler has an interception to his name as well.
Roland-Story will look to rebound after a 28-7 loss to a now (3A) #5 Des Moines Christian, where the Norsemen turned the football over 4 times in the loss. Roland-Story will have opportunities to throw the football with a distinct size advantage at receiver, while the Norsemen’s defense will be tasked with stopping the duo of Blayk Hart and Kinnick Geers.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night at West Marshall High School.