After first win, Truckers seek more

NORWALK — A step in the right direction — but not enough. After combining to score 13 points in the first two games of the season, the Norwalk football team picked up its first win of the year in a 24-17 road win at Sandusky last week. But still, the Truckers (1-2, 1-1) had two different scenarios where first-and-goal from the Sandusky 1 and 2-yard lines didn't result in touchdowns. Ahead of this Friday's 7 p.m. home SBC Lake Division game vs. Perkins (1-2, 0-2), head coach Todd Fox said it's an area that still has to be better. "We have to correct that, and we're working hard as a staff with our guys to change our mindset," Fox said. "To not score a touchdown either time, that falls on us as coaches. The win helps — but not a lot with regards to those situations. "We have to put ourselves in better position and change and focus in on how we do things," he added. "It's not working at this point yet." One big step for the Norwalk offense last week came in the form of the run game. After rushing for just 130 yards on 38 attempts (3.4 yards per rush) total in the first two games, the Truckers ran 33 times for 213 yards against the Blue Streaks. That included a spark from junior Daniel Traczek, who saw his first action of the year in the backfield to the tune of 132 yards and a TD on just 14 carries (9.4 average). Traczek has 25 tackles (including 10 last week) at linebacker, as Fox said the Truckers were trying to preserve two-way starters until later in the season. "We were trying to find that guy who gets in a groove," Fox said. "Daniel has been primarily on defense by design, but last week it was his turn. We gave him a shot and he definitely took that opportunity and ran with it. "He had a great game and was a difference maker," he added. "The offensive line looked better, and the offense looked better. It made a big difference, and we're excited he made that step." Chapin also threw for 267 yards and a TD on 16-of-30 pass attempts. Ethan Phillips caught the score as part of 10 catches for 193 yards in the win. Phillips has 20 catches for 269 yards for the season, while Chapin is 48-of-85 for 500 yards with a pair of TDs and INTs. On defense, the Truckers had another good week. They allowed 137 yards on the ground and 156 in the air against the Blue Streaks. For the season, the unit is allowing 19.3 points per game. "Defensively we've done well other than a handful of broken plays and giving the other team short fields," Fox said. "We're giving up some chunk yards, but overall we're bending and not breaking. I think we've done an outstanding job with all the circumstances on that side of the ball." The Truckers have great balance on defense as far as tackles. Phillips has 29, with Traczek next at 25. Linebacker Andrew Mozina has 22, and Jakob Stebel (one sack) and Mason Hughes (two sacks) each have 20 as defensive lineman. Perkins is led by senior quarterback Chris Campbell, who leads the team in both passing and rushing. Campbell is 22-of-40 passing for 333 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He's also ran 38 times for 312 yards and 2 TDs, while Collin Nemitz adds 113 yards and 3 TDs on 17 attempts. Sam Siegel leads the Pirates with six catches for 57 yards, but all five touchdowns through the air for Perkins have gone to five different receivers. The Pirates are coming off a 28-14 loss at Bellevue in a game they led 14-8 at halftime. "They are a team that is playing well but facing good Lake teams each week like everyone else," Fox said. "It's not easy week in and week out. Campbell is a dual threat QB and one of the top threats in our league. We'll need to contain him defensively." Linebacker Kaiden Wyer leads Perkins with 23 tackles and Siegel has 21. Jayden Rowe has two sacks. "They swarm to the football and have good speed on the edges," Fox said of the Pirates. "Overall their team speed is something that jumps out at you on the film. We look to our kids to answer the challenge. They are growing and maturing every week, and we look forward to Friday." Thursday is also the deadline for teams to opt in to the state playoff field. All teams are eligible for the playoffs after a six-game regular season, which will end on Oct. 2. Teams that are eliminated from the playoffs will then have the option to schedule additional regular season games through the week of Nov. 14. The Truckers will be one of those teams, marking three consecutive years in the playoffs. "We sat down with our staff earlier in the year and talked about the progression of the season," Fox said. "Being halfway to six games, this isn't a marker. Our plan wasn't to lose, but we also wanted to try and develop to be playing our best level of football for the end of the season and the playoffs. "As we progressed, Daniel Traczek is an example of what was part of that plan while also developing other guys," he added. "So I think the excitement is there (for the playoffs), but every week in our league is exciting. Our team is hungry to get better day by day."