STORY CITY — The Roland-Story Norsemen football team returned to action on Friday night, as they opened the Class 2A Playoffs by hosting the Anamosa Blue Raiders in first round action at Kerry Van Winkle Field in Story City. The Norsemen entered at 6-2 and the champions of District 4, while Anamosa entered at 3-6 and the 4-seed out District 5.
Friday’s first quarter would go scoreless between the two teams, but it was Roland-Story that got on the board first on a 74-yard touchdown pass from Colin Willis to Luke Thoreson as the Norsemen took an early 6-0 lead. The lead would not last long however, as Anamosa responded with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Reilly Shaw to Adam Brophy as the Blue Raiders took a 7-6 lead that lasted into the halftime break.
The 3rd quarter would go scoreless for both sides, but it was Roland-Story that capitalized early in the 4th quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Cody Long to put the Norsemen ahead 14-7 after the 2-point conversion. Anamosa’s offense couldn’t muster anything on their ensuing drive, as the Norsemen went back to the ground and scored on a 14-yard touchdown run by Cody Long as the Norsemen grabbed a 21-7 lead and control of the game. Anamosa would respond by marching down the field and scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run from Hudson Scranton to bring the score to 21-14, but after recovering the onside kick, Roland-Story went down the field as Cody Long scored his 3rd touchdown of the 4th quarter on a 9-yard touchdown pass as the Norsemen wrapped up a 28-14 win.
Cody Long would carry the ball 30 times for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns, while catching 2 passes for 15 yards and a score. Colin Willis would go 17-for-26 for 219 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 picks, as his connection to Luke Thoreson was strong again as Thoreson had 8 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown. Cody Long would add 6.5 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss on defense, while Tucker Hawkins had 4 tackles, 1.5 TFL and a sack.
Roland-Story football advances to the Round of 16, as they will host the perennial powers in the Van Meter Bulldogs at Kerry Van Winkle Field on Friday Night with kickoff at 7 PM.