For the Norwalk football team, one of this year’s biggest points of emphasis is going to be the ability to run the ball consistently.

That simply was not the case last season when the Warriors averaged only 2.8 yards per carry en route to a 5-5 record. Coach Paul Patterson’s offense totaled 2,648 passing yards compared to 588 on the ground. Patterson tells KNIA Sports that the rushing attack must improve significantly this fall if Norwalk is going to win close games and make another run to the Class 4A playoffs.

“We have to be able to run for a first down, we’ve got to be able to run inside the 5 to score and we’ve got to be able to run at the end of a game to keep the ball away from the other team and run the clock out,” Patterson said. “That to me is one of the biggest points from an offensive side that we’ve got to be able to do. And then defensively we’ve got to be able to stop the run.”

The onus is now on the offensive line, Patterson says, to raise the level of the running game. The O-line will be anchored by three experienced upperclassmen in Kolton Borcherding-Johnson, Carter Eden and Harrison Tripp. Owen Siemens and Roman Hale are also contending for starting spots and playing time, along with Tyler Stanford, Hunter Newberg and Bryson Chapman.

Better blocking up front could lead to a big season for third-year running back Dominic Tigner, who led the team with 281 net rushing yards in 2023. Patterson says that Tigner has demonstrated better patience and decision making so far in practice.

The Warriors also have a quarterback battle to solve as junior James Hatlevig, senior Kadan Borcherding-Johnson and junior Eli Robbins are all taking reps in preparation for next Friday’s season opener vs. Carlisle. Coach Patterson says that each QB brings a little different element to the game and that all three may see time in Week 1.

The speedy Robbins is also the team’s top returning receiver from last year after totaling 826 yards and six touchdowns. The receiving corps also includes tight end Luke Brewer, Tim Koerselman and Brady Schmitz, along with some promising newcomers.