STORY CITY, Ia. — The Roland-Story Norsemen football team opened their 2026 football season on Friday night, as they hosted the Pella Christian Eagles in non-district action at Kerry Van Winkle Field in Story City.
It was a prosperous start for the Norsemen, scoring on their opening drive off a 10-yard touchdown pass from Colin Willis to Fiston Carlson to put the Norsemen ahead 7-0. Pella Christian would respond with a score on their first drive to tie the game at 7-7, as Roland-Story would then answer quickly with a 42-yard touchdown pass on a catch and run from Colin Willis to Fiston Carlson as the Norsemen took a 14-7 lead. The 2nd quarter would remain quiet until late in the frame, as Roland-Story added onto the lead off a 39-yard touchdown pass from Colin Willis to Cooper Triggs as Roland-Story took in 21-7 lead at halftime.
The second half would see Roland-Story get off to a fast start, as Fiston Carlson broke loose for a 52-yard touchdown run to put the Norsemen ahead 28-7, as Pella Christian responded with a touchdown run from quarterback Trey Steinkamp to bring the score to 28-14 late in the 3rd quarter. Roland-Story would get another score on the board late in the 3rd quarter on a short touchdown pass from Colin Willis to Landry Thoreson for Thoreson’s first varsity score to put Roland-Story up 35-14 after three quarters. The Norsemen put the finishing touches on things in the 4th quarter with a Carter Barber pick six from 22 yards out to put Roland-Story ahead 42-14. Pella Christian would score a garbage time touchdown to bring the final to 42-21.
Colin Willis led the Norsemen through the air, throwing for 280 yards and 4 touchdowns on 20-for-31 passing. Luke Thoreson finished with 7 catches for 117 yards, while Fiston Carlson finished with 9 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown, with 2 receptions for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wyatt Ramus was the Norsemen’s leading tackler with 8.5 tackles.
Roland-Story football returns to action on Friday, when they travel to the Des Moines metro to take on the Des Moines Christian Lions in non-district action at Des Moines Christian School, with kickoff at 7 PM from Urbandale.