STORY CITY, Ia. — The Roland-Story Norsemen football team opens their 2026 season on Friday night, as they host the Pella Christian Eagles for a non-district matchup at Kerry Van Winkle Field in Story City. Roland-Story won the 2025 meeting in Pella by a score of 32-13, as the all-time series is tied at 1-1.
Pella Christian enters Friday’s matchup having a game under their belt already in 2026, defeating Chariton in a no-contest game by a score of 37-24. Junior running back Adam Kacmarynski scored 5 touchdowns in the contest, as his speed could be a game-breaker for the Eagles in 2026. Trey Steinkamp steps in at quarterback for the Eagles in 2026, and he’ll have some tall targets to throw to in 6-4 junior Kendon Kruid and 6-4 senior Elliot Ochsner. The Eagles have a sizable offensive line, led by juniors Maddux Heinen, Tyson Vander Linden and Holdyn Wickliff, as well as senior Jett Kelderman.
Defensively, the Eagles will have a fast and physical linebackign core led by juniors Adam Kacmarynski and Anton Boender, who was 2nd on the team in tackles with 63 a season ago. Trey Steinkamp will likely slide into the free safety role in 2026 after 30.5 tackles and an interception, while Hudson Ritzert also brings back experience to the secondary. The defensive line will have size, with juniors Tyson Vander Linden and Maddux Heinen back to anchor the middle.
Roland-Story enters the contest looking to cash in on sky high expectations in 2026, behind a dynamic offense led by the combination of quarterback Colin Willis and all-state receiver Luke Thoreson. The Norsemen get a boost with Fiston Carlson back at running back after missing last season due to injury, as the offensive line is an experienced and veteran group. The defense will be fast and physical again, as a young secondary will look to fill the holes left by the likes of Cody Long and Blake Larsen.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night at Kerry Van Winkle Field in Story City.