More fireworks for Truckers and Fliers?

NORWALK — It's a fun matchup to watch and listen to. But maybe not so much for the two head coaches. "Coach Carter and I have both joked over these last couple years that each game as taken years off our lives," Norwalk football coach Todd Fox said. The Truckers (2-2, 2-1) host the Fliers (3-1, 2-1) at 7 p.m. Friday in an SBC Lake Division game at Contractors Stadium at the Warren C. Whitney Complex. In 2018, Clyde coughed up a double-digit lead, but then went for two points and the win in overtime and were successful in a 32-31 win in Norwalk. Last season, the exact same scenario played out in Clyde. Norwalk was ahead 41-40 after the Fliers scored a touchdown in overtime. Clyde again went for two points and the win, but the Truckers got the stop on defense to preserve the win and earn a share of the league championship. Two games, both decided by a single point in overtime on a conversion play. "Clyde is a great program and has had a strong tradition for a very long time now," Fox said. "So to be mentioned as having those battles tells us what we're doing as a program — and that's kind of where we gauge it. We respect them and will go out and try and compete and do the best we can." The Truckers enter the game having found some footing on offense after it was a struggle for the first two-plus weeks of the season. By halftime of Week 3 at Sandusky on Sept. 11, the Truckers had scored just two touchdowns and two field goals for just 20 points for the season. In the six quarters since, Norwalk has scored seven touchdowns and added two more field goals from Garrison Smith to total 55 points. In last week's 38-28 home win over Perkins, Norwalk led 10-7 at halftime, but used four TDs in the second half to take control. "Our main focus was red zone offense," Fox said. "We put a lot of time on offense in the red zone, and as a coach you always hope all that work will pay off, and last week it did. "But that's a maturing offensive line, a maturing run game and Garrett Chapin just taking control of the offense to make us better. We hope to make another stride this week and keep things going in the right direction." Last week was Chapin's 30th start as the Norwalk quarterback since the start of the 2018 season. He was 15-of-22 passing for 251 yards and 3 TDs in the win over the Pirates, and also ran for two more key TDs. For the season, Chapin is 63-of-104 (61 percent) for 751 yards and 5 TDs. "I think that's the cool part about it; that was his 30th start, and that's what it should look like," Fox said of Chapin. "Garrett managed and owned the field. He managed our guys and he's doing things behind the scenes, too. He did a great job for us last week." Chapin's top target is senior receiver Ethan Phillips, who has caught 25 passes for 298 yards and a TD. He leads the SBC Lake in catches and is third in yardage. "We have a younger team than in recent years and we had to figure some things out," said Phillips, who has also returned a kickoff for a touchdown in each of the past two thrilling games against the Fliers. "Everyone is clicking right now. Things feel a lot different today than they did two weeks ago. Things are more sound." Things will need to be sound to top the Fliers, who are coming off a 34-28 win over Sandusky last week. Clyde's lone loss was 19-16 vs. Tiffin Columbian on Sept. 11. After winning the Division IV state championship last season with a power run game and timely passing, the Fliers still run the ball frequently (37 times per game), but also are averaging 21 pass attempts per contest. Quarterback Jaden Cook is 53-of-82 passing for 871 yards with 6 TDs and three interceptions. Michael Daniels has ran 101 times for 435 yards and 7 TDs, while Cook's top two receivers include Brady Wilson (17 catches, 236 yards, TD) and Griffin Noftz (15 catches, 331 yards, 3 TDs). "This year they bring a little bit different of an attack with a QB who is slinging the ball all over with some talented receivers," Fox said of the Fliers. On defense, linebacker Dillon Overmyer has 39 tackles and two sacks. Remington Norman has 31.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks on the defensive line, and alongside him up front Robbie Greenslade adds 26.5 tackles and Walker Britt has 25 tackles. "Up front they have done a great job preparing on both sides of the ball," Fox said of Clyde, which allows 16.8 points per game on defense. "I think for both of us it's a reloading year, but Clyde is a great team and we expect to have to compete with them every second if we're going to be successful on Friday." Statistically for the Truckers, Daniel Traczek added another 117 yards rushing last week and has 249 yards on 37 attempts in two games at running back. He caught five passes for 57 yards and 2 TDs as well. Kade Staley adds 14 catches for 143 yards, followed by Sam Battles (9 for 84) and Oliver Maloney (5 for 79). Meanwhile, with 78 straight extra points, Smith has cracked the top 10 in OHSAA history for consecutive PATs and has four field goals and 21 points this season. On defense, Traczek had 10 tackles last week and leads the team with 35 at linebacker. Phillips has 33 tackles at safety and Andrew Mozina adds 27 tackles and an interception at linebacker. Jakob Stebel had two sacks last week and has 24 tackles and three sacks on the defensive line, while Mason Hughes has 25 tackles and two sacks, Drew Shope has 24 tackles and Alex Roblero adds 20.