STORY CITY, Ia. — The Roland-Story Norsemen football team returns home on Friday Night, as they welcome in a longtime rival from the Heart of Iowa Conference in the West Marshall Trojans in non-district action at Kerry Van Winkle Field. Roland-Story enters with a record of 1-1 and ranked #4 in Class 2A, as West Marshall also enters at 1-1. West Marshall leads the all-time series 29-13 dating back to 1970, as the Trojans won the 2025 meeting in State Center, 27-20.
It’s been an up-and-down start to 2026 for West Marshall, as the Trojans were shutout in a highly-anticipated season-opener with South Hardin 36-0, before rebounding with a 21-12 win over New Hampton in Week 2. Blayk Hart was the starting quarterback the first two weeks, but Hart moved to tailback during the Trojans win over the Chicksaws as sophomore Riley Hanford took the reigns at quarterback, going 3-for-5 for 53 yards and an interceptions, as Hart has rushed for 195 yards and a touchdown so far in 2026. Junior Teegun Edler has been the top receiver, catching 4 passes for 95 yards so far, as the offensive line has been led by the play of junior Kyle Hilleman and seniors Jacob Dare and Beckham Desotel.
As for the West Marshall defense, the Trojans secondary has been tested the most so far in 2026, as senior safety Riley Hanford leads the team with 10 tackles, as Teegun Edlund has recorded an interception and a fumble recovery, with Drake Whitaker also recording an interception. The West Marshall defensive line has a standout in senior Beckham Desotel, as Desotel’s tallied 8.5 tackles, 5.5 TFL and a sack, as sophomore Joe Kielman leads a green linebacking core for the Trojans.
LISTEN: West Marshall football coach Cody Hackett previews Roland-Story
Roland-Story will look to bounce back from a 21-15 loss to a now-top 5 team in Class 3A in the Des Moines Christian Lions. Look for the Norsemen offense to try and get the ground game going after a tough outing against DMC, as the Roland-Story defense will have to play physical and sound against a punishing West Marshall rushing attack.
LISTEN: Roland-Story football coach Matt Finn previews West Marshall
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Kerry Van Winkle Field, and can be heard on 95.7 KQWC or streaming online at kqradio.com.