WELLMAN, Ia. — The Roland-Story Norsemen football team returns to the gridiron on Friday Night, as they make the long trip into Eastern Iowa to take on the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks in the second round of the Class 2A Playoffs at Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman. Roland-Story enters at 7-2 and ranked #9, as Mid-Prairie enters at 8-1 and ranked #4. Friday’s meeting is the first-ever matchup between the two schools.
Mid-Prairie enters at 8-1 and the champions of Class 2A, District 6, with an early-season loss to #2 Alburnett, and wins over Washington, Sigourney-Keota, Wilton, West Liberty, Central Lee, Mediapolis, West Burlington/Notre Dame and Chariton. The Golden Hawks offense is led by senior quarterback Brooks Weber, who leads 2A in passing yards with 2,314 yards, 29 touchdowns, and a completion percentage of 72.2%. Weber’s favorite target has been senior receiver Carson Humphery, who’s caught 31 targets for 627 yards and 8 touchdowns, as fellow senior Nolan Jergens has 26 receptions for 439 yards and 7 touchdowns, while senior tight end Kale Miller has a team-high 32 receptions for 295 yards and 6 touchdowns. Mid-Prairie’s rushing attack has improved as the season’s gone on, as junior tailback Ryan Henry has 880 yards and 14 touchdowns on 156 carries, behind a veteran offensive line, led by the likes of seniors Tommy Miller, Cadeyn Huston and Travis Shenk.
Defensively, the Golden Hawks linebacking core has made a number of plays, as senior Caedyn Huston leads the team with 65 tackles, 4 TFL and a sack, Cecil Kelley has 49.5 tackles, 4.5 TFL and an interception, as Maxwell Kipp has 21 tackles, 1 TFL and an interception. The defensive backfield has been full of playmakers, as sophomore Bronx Miller leads the unit with 31 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception, while senior Nolan Jergens has 9.5 tackles, 4 pass breakups and an interception. Carson Humphery, Kendrick Kos and Lenox Miller have all recorded interceptions for the defensive backfield as well. The defensive line is a fundamentally sound one, as undersized-defensive tackle Tommy Miller leads the unit with 37.5 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks, as senior Kale Miller has 15.5 tackles, 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks and a pick six, while Travis Shenk has 14 tackles, 4 TFL and 2 sacks.
LISTEN: Mid-Prairie coach Daren Lambert previews Roland-Story
Roland-Story will look to build off their dominant play in the last 3 weeks, outscoring their opponents 128-8. The Roland-Story offense will look to lean on a continuously improving run game that features Fiston Carlson and Ben Mazyck, especially in a game that will feature rain chances throughout. The Norsemen defense looks to continue their high-level play, a week after Grand View Christian didn’t surpass 100 total yards until the games final drive.
LISTEN: Roland-Story coach Matt Finn preview Mid-Prairie
Kickoff is slated for 7 PM on Friday Night from Mid-Prairie High School, and can be heard on 95.7 KQWC, online at kqradio.com and on the KQWC App.