BESSEMER — If the Norway varsity football team is going to make a run at the state playoffs, Friday night might at Bessemer might have provided the life lesson that gets them there.

And, Norway head coach Scott Popp knew the lesson was coming, even before the opening kickoff.

“It wasn’t a great week at practice,” Popp said. “They knew going in Bessemer was 1-3 coming into the game. It showed in practice.”

The lack of focus was obvious on the field, too. The Knights committed eight penalties in the first half of the 8-player clash, costing them 130 yards. For the game, Norway (5-0) had 11 penalties for 152 yards.

Meanwhile, Bessemer committed just one miscue.

“We played like (garbage),” Popp said. “The players said it, too.”

Still, the visiting Knights held a 16-6 lead at halftime, part of that thanks to their special teams. Austin Dwight put Norway on the scoreboard almost immediately, taking the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown.

“I can’t say enough anymore about our special teams are,” the coach added. “We have so much speed. It’s dangerous for any team to kick off to us.”

Halftime not only provided the Knights with a break physically, but also time to collectively get mentally right. And, they used that time well as Norway outscored Bessemer 38-6 in the second half.

“The second half was a totally different team that showed up,” Popp said. “It was a whole different game. We did what we had to do.”

Tyler Neuens helped lead the way, taking the ball on 18 carries for 166 yards, three touchdowns and two two-point conversions. Ian Popp added 86 yards and a score on three carries, with quarterback Cole Baij also finding the endzone in racking up 18 yards on four carries.

Baij also had an effective night throwing the ball, connecting on 8 of 18 attempts for 146 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Knights receiver Michael Peterson also got try tossing the football, going 1 for 1 for 12 yards.

In his more normal role as a pass catcher, Peterson collected two passes on a pair of two-point conversions. Wade Spade had two receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, a team effort helped Ian Popp tally 21 tackles.

Coach Popp said the impressive tackling numbers are the result both of the player’s effort and his teammates doing their jobs, engaging the opponent’s blockers and freeing up the free safety to make plays.

“Everyone is doing what they should be doing,” Coach Popp added. “Then, as the free safety, he’s able to come up and do whatever he wants.”

And, Ian Popp wasn’t alone in putting up some gaudy defensive numbers. Kyle Napientek made his presence known with 17 tackles on the night, with Spade and Shane Swanson each notching 13 hits.

While happy with the win, Coach Popp said he hopes the lessons learned in Friday’s win stick because it’s unlikely the Knights can afford to repeat such mistakes in upcoming games and expect to make the playoffs.

Norway next hosts Ontonagon for its last home game of the season on Thursday. The opening kickoff of the Knights’ “Parents Night” contest is set for 6 p.m. The Knights then have a week off before traveling to face powerhouse North Central (5-0) on Oct. 14 in what is shaping up to be a matchup of the top two teams in the Great Lakes Eight Conference-West.

“We have some really good teams we’ll be facing in the next few weeks,” Coach Popp said. “Our kids have to be physically and mentally sound. We’re looking to get into the playoffs. We can’t be having those mistakes.”