Florence running back Logan Schuls (23) turns around after being stripped of the football but is unable to recover the fumble, as Norway’s Kyle Napientek (9) and fellow Knight defender Shane Swanson (45) dive for ball during first half action Friday night in the nonconference, 8-player clash at Robert Landry Field. Napientek was eventually able to come up with the fumble recovery for the Knights. But Florence would rally after falling behind early and hand Norway its first loss of the season. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

FLORENCE, Wis. — The Florence Bobcats overcame an early two-touchdown deficit and three lead changes to knock off previously unbeaten Norway 40-26 in a nonconference, 8-player football contest Friday at Robert Landry Field.

Junior Logan Schuls rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another, while junior quarterback William Kelley fired two touchdowns and ran for one to push the Bobcats to their sixth win in seven games.

Schuls’ 42-yard reception from Kelly gave Florence a 32-26 lead with 7:53 to play and Kelley added an insurance score on a 7-yard run with 1:52 remaining.

“This means a lot,” Schuls said. “It just shows what Florence can really do. I feel great about it.”

Not so much on the other sideline.

Bobcat defender Dustin Williams (4) gets some help from teammate Logan Thompson (2) in bringing down Norway’s Ian Popp (1) in the first half of the Florence’s come-from-behind win over the Knights. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

“We did not execute very well at all,” Norway coach Scott Popp said. “We came out fired up, we jumped to the lead and I think the kids kind of laid off after that.

“Florence has got speed, and I told the players all week. I knew what they had; they’ve got all the weapons that they need.”

The Knights (6-1) have plenty of weapons, as well, and that showed early. On the opening drive of the game, Norway drove 71 yards on 11 plays and took a 6-0 lead on a 9-yard run by junior Ian Popp.

However, the Knights failed on their 2-point attempt, something that would reoccur most of the night.

The Bobcats fumbled on their first drive and Norway senior Kyle Napientek recovered on his own 44-yard line. Quarterback Cole Baij hit Michael Peterson with a 29-yard strike down to the Florence 15 and two plays later, Tyler Neuens ran in from the 10 to give Norway a quick two-score lead.

The Knights threatened to blow the game wide open after Florence fumbled again on its next possession. Norway advanced the ball to the Bobcats’ 1-yard line, but Florence held on fourth down.

The game completely changed from there. Six plays later, Evan Johnson ran to paydirt from the 5-yard line and Schuls added the 2-point conversion run to get Florence back in the game.

“Two scores inside the first four minutes of the game,” Florence coach Kent Walstrom said. “A tough start for us, and then we fumbled a second time on our next drive, but we regrouped on defense and held them out of the endzone. That was a huge stop for us.”

“After we stopped them, we definitely had the momentum and the momentum stayed with us,” Schuls added. “And that’s the reason why the scoreboard looks like it does.”

That and Florence’s ability to beat Norway on deep throws. Time and again, the Bobcats were able to pick up big chunks of yardage on long passes, including Schuls connecting with Logan Thompson for a 44-yard score that helped Florence take a 16-14 lead at halftime.

“Great call by (assistant coach) Jay (Walstrom) up in the booth,” Kent Walstrom said. “We’ve been practicing that play all season, and Jay picked a perfect time to suggest that play. He suggested the Schuls’ TD catch play tonight, too.”

Popp was at a loss to explain why his defensive backs struggled so much on the deep throws.

“It was the deep passes that killed us,” Popp said. “We should make those plays. Those are plays they make every day in practice and in other games.

“It’s just misjudging the ball, and when to jump, when to put the hand up and not paying attention to the ball.”

The Knights regained the lead at 20-16 on a 5-yard run from Neuens with 4:50 left in the third quarter. However, Florence came right back and grabbed a 24-20 lead on a 7-yard pass from Kelley to Schuls and Schuls’ 2-point conversion run.

The game swung back in Norway’s favor again at the start of the fourth quarter as Wyatt Spade hauled in a 16-yard scoring strike from Baij.

“Their sophomore QB (Baij) throws a nice ball, made some nice throws tonight,” Walstrom said.

Norway’s 2-point try failed again, leaving the Knights with a precarious 26-24 edge with 11:30 left.

That was plenty of time for the Bobcats to respond and they did with 77-yard drive, capped off by Kelley’s 42-yarder to Schuls.

Johnson led Florence offensively with 145 yards on 15 carries and two receptions for 47 yards. The senior standout left the game late with an apparent ankle injury.

Defensively, junior Bryce Leffler played a strong game with 12 tackles, including four sacks.

“A monster game for Bryce,” Walstrom said. “He was playing his usual aggressive game and causing chaos all over the field.”

The game was not on the original schedule for either team. Norway had an open week after Carney-Nadeau ended its season after the first week and Florence was scheduled to play Goodman-Pembine, but the Patriots were unable to field a team due to injuries.

Florence travels to White Lake-Elcho for a Thursday game starting at 4 p.m. to end its regular season.

The Knights hit the road to face top-ranked and defending state champion North Central on Friday at 6 p.m. in Powers.