DIKE, Ia. — The Roland-Story Norsemen football team returns to the gridiron on Friday Night, as they make the trip into the Cedar Valley to take on the Dike-New Hartford Wolverines in Class 2A, District 4 action at Dike-New Hartford High School. Roland-Story enters at 4-1 and ranked #3 in Class 2A, while Dike-New Hartford enters at 3-2. Friday’s meeting is the 6th all-time between the two programs dating back to 2008, with Roland-Story leading the series 3-2 and winning the 2025 meeting 35-34 in double overtime.
Dike-New Hartford enters at 3-2 with their losses coming to (1A) #3 Aplington-Parkersburg and Grundy Center in non-district play, with wins over Jesup, Oelwein and Denver. Senior quarterback Peyton Pokorny leads the Wolverines offense, throwing for 634 yards and 9 touchdowns, while rushing for another 164 yards and 3 scores. Pokorny’s favorite target has been junior Caeden Bakker, who’s caught 14 balls for 222 yards and 4 touchdowns, while senior Aiden Walston has 11 catches for 191 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Wolverines rushing attack is led by senior Gavin Gerbracht, who’s rushed for 423 yards and 2 touchdowns on 73 carries, while Conner Weedman has 47 carries for 350 yards and 4 touchdowns as a second back. The Wolverines do have size on the offensive line is led by the likes of seniors Ryder Palmersheim and Logan Hayes
On the defensive side, it’s been hard to find big standouts for the Wolverines with so many different contributing pieces to Don Betts defense. The defensive line has a pair of big play guys in seniors Ryder Palmersheim and Logan Hayes, with Palmersheim totaling 12 tackles, 6 TFL and 1.5 sacks, while Hayes has 10 tackles and 3.5 TFL. Aiden Walston is the team’s leading tackler with 24 from his linebacker spot, along with 2.5 TFL, 3 interceptions and a touchdown, as Gavin Gerbracht has 12.5 tackles, 2.5 TFL. The secondary has made plays when asked during the season, as the unit has 10 interceptions, with Jacob Feaker leading the unit with 3 interceptions, along with seniors Quinn Mills and Trey Jensen.
Roland-Story enters riding a 3-game win streak and looking to capture a big win in their run to a 2nd-consecutive district title. The Norsemen offense will look to build off an efficient performance against Vinton-Shellsburg, in which they moved the ball consistently throughout. Roland-Story’s defense will look to continue it’s high standard, with leading tackler Jake Knoll looking to return soon after missing the Vinton-Shellsburg game.
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night at Dike-New Hartford High School.