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Knights win 40-26: Passing game powers Norway in 2nd-half rally

NORWAY — The score was tied 18-all. Lake Linden-Hubbell had found a way to blunt Norway’s running game.

But the host Knights were still able to pull away for a 40-26 Homecoming win Friday night to stay undefeated at 3-0.

“The first half was deadlocked,” said Norway head coach Scott Popp. “We’d score, then they’d score. You didn’t know what was going to happen in the second half.

“They had our running game. They shut our running game right down.”

With the Knights only able to manage 61 yards on 10 carries Friday night, it was time for Norway quarterback Cole Baij to shine. And, he did shine, hitting on eight of 16 passing attempts for 273 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Four different Norway receivers found the endzone, including Michael Peterson (3 catches, 94 yards, 2 TDs), Alex Ortman (2 catches, 125 yards, 1 TD), Ian Popp (1 catch, 72 yards, 1 TD) and Wyatt Spade (1 catch, 29 yards, 1 TD).

Ian Popp also paced Norway with 35 yards on two carries, with Tyler Neuens adding 26 yards on eight attempts.

The Knights also benefitted in the second half from a key special teams play on a rekick.

According to Coach Popp, the Lakes booted the ball out of bounds on a kickoff and Norway had the option of taking the ball on their own 35 yard line. Instead, there was a second kickoff, one that Austin Dwight returned 85 yards for a score.

“The kids came out of the locker room and played a heck of a second half,” Coach Popp said. “They were fired up and ready to go.”

That included defensive lineman Isaac Lorenzoni, who ended the game with seven tackles. But, according to his coach, the numbers told only part of the story.

“He was blowing up their offense almost by himself,” Coach Popp said. “He was getting great penetration. That was helping the rest of the defense.”

And, while having a solid game on offense, Ian Popp had a spectacular game on defense, with the Knights safety tallying 22 tackles, including two solo tackles on fourth-down plays to give Norway possession of the ball.

“He was really reading plays fast,” Coach Popp said.

Kyle Napientek added nine tackles, while Matthew Paulitch chipped in by knocking down three potential touchdown passes in the win.

“The Homecoming curse was lifted,” Coach Popp added. “It’s the first Homecoming win for us in like nine years.”

But, the Knights won’t have much time to celebrate, as Norway will travel to take on another undefeated team and Great Lakes Eight Conference rival, the Forest Park Trojans (3-0), this coming Friday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

“They truly have been a powerhouse,” Coach Popp said of the Trojans, who topped North Dickinson 54-16 last Friday. “They’re right there.

Coach Popp added the two teams should be evenly matched headed into the conference showdown, with Forest Park featuring a power running game that his Knights will have to stop.

They have one of the best running backs (Sam McKissack) in the conference. He’s a stud,” the coach said. “They really like to pound the ball, grind it. That’s their game plan.”

Forest Park head coach Brian Fabbri said the Trojans are looking forward to the challenge.

“We’re looking forward to playing Norway,” Fabbri said. “They are a very good opponent — very well coaches and very good athletes. They are also experience, most of them are juniors and seniors.

“We played a good team in Week 1 (Stephenson) and we had a tough time, so we’re looking forward to another good test with Norway to see where we’re at right now,” he added. “It will be a nice test for us to see if we’ve progressed from Week 1.”

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