Norwalk heads to Clyde for Lake finale

This feels different. The Norwalk football team is facing a challenge that many teams have faced for several decades this Friday. No matter their record, it's always tough to come away with a win over the Clyde Fliers at Bob Bishop Stadium. That will be the task for the Truckers (3-6, 1-2) at 7 p.m. Friday when they take on the host Fliers (3-6, 1-2) in the final SBC Lake Division game ever for both programs. But what this Norwalk team has that several have not in the past five years is some late-season confidence. The Truckers are coming off a 31-28 win over Sandusky, where they rallied from 28-14 down to snap a 21-game losing streak in the league. "I don't think we have to have the conversation about believing in yourself, which is a good feeling to have," Norwalk head coach Keith Mora said. "Because there were some years when it's more about trying to get our kids to believe they can compete in a game against Lake teams, and that hasn't been the case this year." Along with the win over Sandusky, the Truckers nearly rallied from 21-3 down before falling 21-16 against Tiffin Columbian. Though Norwalk was beaten 48-3 at Perkins, the Pirates also beat Sandusky by 38 and the Fliers by 49. "We did beat Sandusky. We did compete with Tiffin Columbian. We had our moments against a great Perkins team. Our kids are going to believe they can compete this week, and they are going to prepare that way. We don't have to sell that to them. We just have to get down to business and try to make sure we're as prepared for them as we can be." The Fliers have been the model of consistency for many years. But Ryan Carter's team had to dig itself out of a slow start against quality teams to keep itself in playoff contention. Clyde opened with losses to Bellevue (6-3) and DIv. II teams Toledo Start (5-4), Ashland (9-0), and Toledo de Sales (5-4). But since then, the Fliers are 3-2, including wins over Port Clinton (5-4) and Edison (6-3). The Fliers are 14th in Div. IV Region 14 (top 12 qualify) and need a win over Norwalk and a little bit of help to return to the playoffs. Mainly, Clyde can be helped by Clearview (4-5) losing to Keystone (6-3). Bellefontaine Benjamin Logan (4-5) is the current No. 12 seed but plays winless Lima Shawnee this week and will gain minimal points. Offensively, the Fliers have scored points in 268 consecutive games, the longest such streak in Ohio. Running back Adam Young leads a balanced rushing attack with 727 yards and 10 touchdowns on 151 attempts. Quarterback Johnathan Lantz has totaled 242 yards and 3 TDs on 70 attempts. He is 137-of-229 passing for 1,479 yards with 8 TDs and 10 interceptions. Lantz's top targets include Dekin Crockett with 30 catches for 364 yards and 2 TDs, followed by Mason Flewelling (27 catches, 252 yards, 2 TDs), Hunter Thomas (24 catches, 237 yards, 1 TD), and Aric Kauble (25 catches, 217 yards). "Clyde is always well-coached, and you always know they are going to give you a lot of different things to prepare for," Mora said. "All the different shifts, motions, and checkdowns they will present to you at the line of scrimmage to your defense are always challenging." On defense, the Fliers are paced by Hector Garza with 94 tackles, four sacks, and an interception. Curtis Dick has 77 tackles and five sacks, Flewelling has 50 tackles and an interception, and Linkin Mullins adds 48 tackles with a forced fumble and a recovery. "You always know a Clyde defense will be physical, fast off the ball, and they will tackle very well, regardless of their record," Mora said. "There are a lot of teams who would be 0-4 after that early schedule they played." For Norwalk, AJ Weilnau has totaled 425 yards and 4 TDs on 109 attempts. Gabe Bellamy adds 177 yards and 3 TDs on 25 attempts and has returned 14 kicks for 371 yards with a TD. Gavin Lepley adds 143 yards and a TD on 34 attempts, while quarterback Brady Singer has rushed 39 times for 1-8 yards with a score and is 30-of-71 passing for 288 yards with 2 TDs and 3 INTs. His top target is Carter Harp with 14 catches for 130 yards, while Cade Evans adds five catches for 85 yards and 2 TDs. Kicker Tommy Vanderpool is 9-of-10 on extra points and 4-of-5 on field goals, including two game-winning kicks as time expired. He's also punted 27 times for a 37-yard average. Nico Helton paces the Norwalk defense with 72 tackles. Brady Case adds 53 tackles with one sack and a fumble recovery, while Lepley has 52 tackles and two interceptions. Weilnau adds 34 tackles with two sacks, and Harp has 39 tackles. The Truckers are also not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs entering Friday's game, but they need a win and help from four other games. Norwalk is 16th in Div. III Region 10. "We didn't have a cakewalk schedule early on, either," Mora said. "But right now, it's about making sure our kids are preparing the way they need to prepare to try and get another win."