Norwayne Bobcats/Wayne County Athletic League News

Norwayne Will Adjust

          Norwayne collides with Lutheran East on Wednesday night in a division V regional semifinal at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse.

          They beat South Range (63-43) to earn a district title on Saturday night.

          Coach Brian West says they are right where they thought they would be at this point.  “Being the fourth seed and having all four of the top seeds going in different brackets you're kind of hoping to be able to get to this point.  You'll always have preseason goals of winning the district title and hopefully these kids have a mindset that just the district title this year is not enough,” he said.

          Norwayne (23-2) takes on Lutheran East (21-4) on Wednesday.

          West says playing the Falcons are not new to them.  “They're very good.  They're definitely no stranger to us.  The last three times here that we've made the regionals and had to play them.  Four years ago, it was the regional finals, three years ago, it was the regional semifinals and now we get them again.  They're obviously very talented.  Coach (Samuel) Liggins does a nice job.  They run some good things.  TJ Crumble is difference maker for whoever he plays for,” he told Swankonsports.com, “He is very physical inside.  We haven't played against a lot of 6’8” guys this year.  We haven't played against the team speed that they bring to the table.  So, we're going to do some different things defensively.  Throw some wrinkles at them.  To be honest, I think of the three Lutheran East teams we played I think we could probably compete with this one the most.”

          Crumble has also played for Richmond Heights, a similar type of program, in the past.

          West is confident his kids will attack Lutheran East when they have the ball in their hands.  “I don't think it's going to be an intimidation thing for our kids.  They've played against some really good players over the years and they've played a lot of basketball.  So, I think it's just more going to be the length, not necessarily blocking our shots, but changing our shots, sometimes that's just as important for a defender.  I don't think it's going to be an intimidation thing by any stretch.  It's they bring another 6’7” and 6’5” kid off the bench, so just size in general is going to be something we’ll have to make some adjustments,” said West.

Published 3/05/25

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Norwayne Wants to Push it

          It’s the game of the year in the Wayne County Athletic League on Tuesday night as Norwayne at Smithville to lock horns with the Smithies.

          The Bobcats will either win the title outright Tuesday night or the two teams would be in a tie heading to Friday when Norwayne hosts Chippewa and Smithville is at Hillsdale.

          Norwayne coach Brian West says Smithville (18-2,11-1) will be confident in their own gym.  “With a one game lead with two games to go in the league, so if we're able to come away with the win we win the league outright.  Then Smithville’s only chance of possibly tying us for the league is to beat us.  So, they're obviously going to be ready to go.  They're going to be confident playing at home and hopefully our kids are up to the task,” he said.

          West says they have to be patient on defense and work hard to keep the Smithies from getting easy shots.  “They do a lot of nice things.  They run really good sets, they've slowed down the tempo when they play us, they try to limit the possessions.  I think they do a nice job of taking us out of our transition as much as they can,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “They're very methodical offensively, so we're going to have to make sure that we defend for more than seven or eight seconds like we’re used to and to be able to defend for 15 to 20 seconds, sometimes 30 seconds at a time.  So, they’re very well coached, very disciplined and they play physical.”

          Norwayne (18-2,12-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, beat Smithville (52-37) when they played at Norwayne on January 17.

          West says they may have won that game, but they let Smithville control the tempo.  “We talked (Monday) we feel like the last time they kind of took us out of what we do well.  So, we talked (Monday) as a team when we were watching film, why do we have to be the team that adjusts to them? Why can't we continue to push tempo, keep the pressure up and make them adjust to us.  So, the more we can speed the game up and make them play to our style I think the better off will be,” said West.

Published 2/11/25

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Norwayne Must Rebound Well

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League leader, plays at Northwestern in a league game on Friday night.

          They lead Smithville by a game and play the Smithies next Tuesday.

          They beat Waynedale (76-38) in a league game on Tuesday.

          Coach Brian West says they played well early and then put it away in the third quarter.  “I thought we did a nice job coming out of the gate with some energy.  We pushed tempo early.  I thought something that we did not do well was we didn't get matched up really well under pressure, but I thought we did okay in the back court, but once Waynedale got into the front court I think they communicated well and found their shooters got good looks early.  We settled down on the third, came out and started the third on a 16-0 run got it to the running clock and got some subs in to get some experience after that,” said West.

          In games like Tuesday, West says it can be a balancing act on the issue of how much to play your best guys.  “I think that’s kind of on the coaches as the year goes on if you're able to build some of that depth and just in case you do have an injury in this part of the season.  It's kind of a double edged sword because you want to keep your guys fresh.  We were actually on that discussion on the bench on Tuesday that how soon we want to get the first five out because you don't want to wear them out, you don't want to see somebody roll an ankle, but you still want to keep them fresh and keep them their continuity going playing with one another,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “It's important to get that depth throughout the year to get some of those younger guys where now you can rest some of those first five and not miss a beat offensively or defensively with the depth.”

          Norwayne (17-2,11-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, play at Northwestern (2-16,1-11) on Friday.  The Huskies are coming off a (69-52) loss to Hillsdale in league play on Tuesday night.

          West says they are going to try and run the floor and get shots up.  “They're super athletic.  They're going to try to go up and down with us as well, which we like.  They're going to get out and pressure.  They have got one really good shooter from perimeter.  We have got to make sure we locate him and make sure we box out.  So, there will be a lot of perimeter shots on Friday and we're going to make sure we box out because we always tell the kids the long shots equal long rebounds.  So, we're going to be focused from the opening tip and be ready to go,” he said.

Published 2/06/25

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Norwayne Must be Focused at Dalton

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League leader, plays at Dalton on Friday night in a league game.

          Tuesday night, they beat a very good Canton Central Catholic (61-52) in a non-conference game.

          Coach Brian West says that was a very big for them in a number of ways. “They were ahead of us in the seeding going into Tuesday night's game.  Ranked ahead of us in all the polls.  So, our kids knew what was at stake.  It was a tournament type atmosphere.  It was definitely tournament type as far as the competition level.  They have got a guard that's going to Walsh.  Their big kid, their 6’8” kid, did not play, but they also replaced him with another 6’8” kid.  So, it was nice to play against that type of competition.  I think it's definitely going to get us ready down the road,” said West.

          West says he believes they are starting to peak.  “You want to win the league, that's our number one priority, but I feel like here in the last week or so we're starting to play our best basketball and any coach will tell you that they want to play their best basketball down the stretch leading into the tournament.  We've had two in a row that I feel that we've played really, really well and hopefully that can continue into this week,” he said.

          Norwayne (15-2,9-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, is at Dalton (9-7,6-4) on Friday night.  Norwayne won the first meeting (57-30) on December 20.

          West playing at Dalton is tough.  “Dalton it is definitely scary to play at their place, it's a different type gym.  They have got the (Carter) Hignight boy is very, very good and very dangerous on the perimeter and scores off the dribble pretty well.  The (Coy) Wenger boy shoots it pretty well from the perimeter if he catches fire and they feed off of each other they're very hard to guard,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “The (Matthew) Heatwole boy inside is very strong, very physical and does a great job around the glass.  So, that's going to be a big test.  There are times we struggled in their gym and being on the road with everything that we have on the line hopefully our kids come out relaxed, and they come out focused and play hard.”

Published 1/30/25

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Norwayne Has to Make Some Shots

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League leader, will be at home for Hillsdale in a league game on Friday night.

          Norwayne leads Smithville by a game.  Hillsdale is three back in third place.

          The Bobcats (13-2,8-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, destroyed Rittman (92-16) in a league game on Tuesday night.

          That was after losing (54-51) to division II Massillon Perry on Saturday.

          Coach Brian West says they leaned from that loss.  “Yeah kids came out pretty fast on Tuesday.  Like we normally do, we pressed a lot and we're able to turn them over.  Honestly, you don't want to lose any games at all, but I think Saturday might have been a wakeup call for us a little bit, even though we're having pretty good season overall.  We had a pretty lengthy film session on Monday and studied ourselves quite a bit and I think we're starting to fix some of the issues we have,” said West.

          Hillsdale (10-3,5-3) beat Dalton (50-45) last Friday and then beat the Bulldogs again (51-37) on Tuesday.

          West says they expect to see a lot of zone.  “They beat Dalton twice in the last week.  Their schedule is a little different with the long football run they had.  They actually played Dalton on Friday and then turned around again and played them on Tuesday.  We just played them two weeks ago,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They've beaten Dalton twice here in the last week.  They've got some momentum.  They're starting to play pretty well.  They are starting to play a lot more zone defense, so we'll have to be able to hit some shots from the perimeter (Friday).”

          Norwayne can score a lot of points, but their defense is pretty good too, which is evidenced by their (66-40) win over Hillsdale on January 10.

          West says they are pretty good defenders.  “Not too bad.  Again, started fast and in the second quarter kind of got into a slowdown game little bit.  We were able to hold them to I believe 40 points.  We're actually averaging giving up 38 points a game.  So, as fast as we play that's something to be proud of as a coach,” he said.

Published 1/24/25

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Norwayne Goes for the Lead

          It’s a battle of co-leaders on Friday night as the Norwayne Bobcats are at home against Smithville in a game in the Wayne County Athletic League.

          Both are unbeaten in league play as Friday night wraps up the first round for both teams.

          Norwayne (11-1,6-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, smoked Hillsdale (66-40) in a league game played Saturday night.

          Coach Brain West says they played very good defense.  “I thought we were pretty solid defensively even in the half court.  Our M.O. at this point is to get up the floor and pressure teams and try to turn them over.  I thought even when they were able to break our pressure, we were able to play fundamentally sound defensively and limit them to one shot per possession and be able to get out and run in transition,” he said.

          Smithville (11-1,6-0) is coming off a (56-50) win over the same Hillsdale Falcons in a game played last Friday.

          West says this is a team that going to try and be physical.  “First and foremost they're very well coached.  Coach (Corey) Kaufman does a great job.  They do a great job running their system.  They're very physical defensively.  Their on ball pressure is very good.  They limit what you do offensively as much as they can through physicality.  Offensively, they screen really well.  They run a lot of sets and they execute those very well.  So, we're going to have to be able to try to speed the game up and play our style and not let their half court style affect our tempo,” said West.

          Right now, the Bobcats are not as deep as they normally are and West says they need to play smart when it comes to their aggressiveness on Friday.  “I'm not making excuses, but at this point, we have got some kids that are injured.  The flu is definitely going through our team right now, so we may not have the depth that we normally have this Friday,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “We're hoping to keep kids out of foul trouble, but still we don't want to go away from what we do.  We are who we are and we just have got to be a little bit smarter and kind of pick and choose when we want to try to gamble a little bit defensively and hopefully not pick up any cheap fouls.”

Published 1/15/25

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Norwayne with Double Weekend in “WCAL”

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League co-leader, plays two league games this weekend both on the road, at Chippewa on Friday and Hillsdale on Saturday.

          On Tuesday night, they downed Waynedale (61-40) in league play.

          Coach Brian West says they played better in the second half.  “The first day back in school after Christmas break with the snow day on Monday to be honest I thought we were a little flat.  I thought we came out with as much energy as we normally do.  We weren't able to turn Waynedale over as much as we had hoped we would in the first half and kind of let him hang around.  So, I thought we did a much better job in the third quarter coming out after half with some energy and put some runs together and we're able to extend the little bit,” said West.

          Norwayne (9-1,4-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, is at Chippewa (7-5,3-3) on Friday.  The Chipps beat Hillsdale, in an upset, (66-57) last Friday in league.

          West he expects a lot of zone from the Chipps.  “They play extremely hard.  Coach (C.J.) Julian does a great job with those guys and they had a big win at Hillsdale the other night, which is going to give them nothing but confidence,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “We're going to have to be ready to play.  (Friday) night with the Buckeyes playing, we've moved everything up.  JV’s are going to tip at 4:15, so that kind of throw things off a little bit.  We never seem to play well at Chippewa.  We're going to have to be ready to go and I told the kids (Thursday) we're going to have to come out quick.  I'm anticipating the zones, so we're going to have to be able to move the ball and play inside out and hopefully jump on them early.”

          Hillsdale (6-1,2-1) scores points in bunches.

          West says the Falcons balance the floor well.  “They're super athletic.  They're starting to get up and down the floor this year a little quicker than it did last year.  They have got some more weapons on the perimeter and they had the past and obviously.  The (Bradey) Kirchbaum boy inside is 6’6”, so that's hard to coach, either have height or you don't.  He does a nice job finishing around the bucket.  So, they're super athletic. they're playing really well right now with a lot of confidence,” he said.

Published 1/10/25

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Norwayne Must Make Shots

          Norwayne, one of three leaders in the Wayne County Athletic League, will be at home against struggling Northwestern in a league game on Friday night.

          The Bobcats spent Christmas week in Florida where they beat two teams from the “Sunshine State” in Cypress Creek (65-39) and Sumner (70-46) before losing to a team from NE Ohio in Brecksville (64-40) in the finals.

          Coach Brian West says it was a fun business trip.  “It was a great trip overall.  The kids got to spend a day at the beach.  It was about 75° and sunny every day, so they got to play some beach volleyball and spike ball and football during the day and some basketball at night, so it was really good team bonding for our kids,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “We were fortunate to go 2-1 down there against some pretty big schools.  Actually, ended up playing Brecksville and the finals.  So, we ended up flying all the way to Florida to play a team that's 40 minutes north of us in the finals.  I thought the kids competed considering that we're pretty banged up right now with some injuries and some sickness going through our team.”

          West says every team, no matter what kind of season you are having, must deal with some adversity.  “That's why you try to establish some depth with your team as soon as you can in early games of the year, or non league games, for situations like this.  Sprained ankles, nothing too serious, knock on wood at this point.  Sprained ankles and sickness you just never know if you’re going to lose when you're going to lose them, so you just have to kind of have that next man up mentality and so far we've been able to do that,” he said.

          Norwayne (7-1,2-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, plays at home against Northwestern (0-5,0-3) on Friday night.

          West says they have to be ready to play.  “We know they're going to come over and compete.  We talk with our kids weekly about the target that's on our back and we're going to get everybody's best effort every Friday night,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “They're going to come in to Norwayne (Friday) night and they're going to play hard, they're going to be physical and probably play a lot of zones.  So, we have got to be able to move the ball, change sides of the floor and be able to knock down some shots,” said West.

Published 1/03/25

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Norwayne to Play Rival Dalton

          Norwayne hosts Dalton, both unbeaten in league play, in a key early season game in the Wayne Couty Athletic League on Friday night.

          The Bobcats (4-0,1-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, laid a whipping on talented Northwest (64-41), #5 in the large school division, in a non-league game on Tuesday.

          Coach Brian West says they kind of wore the Indians down.  “I thought we did a great job coming out and starting fast.  Tyson Hess came out the gate there, off the tip, and caught fire.  I think he had our first 13 or 15 points himself.  I thought our up tempo is similar to how they play as well.  I feel that we wore them down as the game went on.  They cut it to eight there in the second half and we were able to hit a couple back-to-back threes to forced them into a time out.  We got momentum back and we were able to stretch the lead out again in the fourth. I thought our kids played really solid, played really tough.  We got a nice shot in the arm for us here as a team. We got Dylan Smith back and Jon Graham are both back now off of injuries.  So, that just helps us with our depth and our speed and our defensive abilities,” said West.

          Dalton (2-2,1-0) beat Lake Center Christian (55-52) in a non-league game on Tuesday.

          West says again the Bulldogs have players.  He says they can do a lot of things.  “Dalton is always solid. Dalton and Norwayne have had a nice rivalry here for years.  They've got Coy Wenger, a senior guard, shoots it really well.  Brady Hignight, another senior guard, who playing for a few years, 6’2”, lanky, attacking the rim very well.  He's had a few games over 25 already.  Then they have got another kid inside Matt Heatwole, who is very strong kid that does a nice job on the glass and gets a lot of offensive putbacks,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “They're solid, they've got a nice core of starters and they're playing a little bit faster this year than they have in the past.  So, we've been doing that for a few years now, so we're used to it hopefully that's to our advantage.”

          Emotion is always part of these kinds of games, but West says you have to have structure too.  “Tuesday with Northwest I thought we were able to do that.  Not only did we play fast, but we also assisted on 18 of our 24 made field goals and limited our turnovers.  You want to play fast.  It's a fun style to play the kids like it, but you also have to have some structure behind it too.  It's not just rolling the ball out and playing.  You have got to have some type, whether it's a secondary break or if you don't have a wide open layup or kick out you have got to have kids disciplined to bring the ball back out top and reverse it and shift the defense,” he said.

Published 12/20/24

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Norwayne Has to be Disciplined

          Norwayne will host Pemberville Eastwood on Friday night in a division V regional quarterfinal.

          Last week, they barely survived in edging #13 seed Delta (45-42) in overtime.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they made a lot of mistakes, including turning the ball over, but they found a way to win.  “We were minus three in the turnover margin there.  We continued to battle and showed a lot of moxie and resolve to continue to fight to make it to overtime and eventually win,” he said.

          Norwayne (10-1) entertains Pemberville Eastwood (10-1) on Friday night.  Eastwood beat Archbold (41-0) in their playoff opener last week.

          Indorf says they have to get in the offensive backfield and create some chaos for the Eagles.  “They're going to be athletic.  They're going to be physical.  Offensively, they do a lot of things with motions and shifts and things like that, so we are going to have to be on our toes and then be disciplined in the secondary with our eyes.  Up front, we’re going to have to do a great job defensively trying to get to the quarterback create some chaos and try to make some blitzes happen that we can catalyze on some momentum there from the defensive standpoint,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Offensively we're going to have to show up.  We're going to have to control the line of scrimmage and make sure that we're just taking what the defense is giving us.”

          As Indorf says Eastwood will show a lot of motion in the game and he says they must be focused on what they have to do as a result.  “We need to make sure that we are being incredibly focused on that.  Sometimes motions are used to get you to show your hand if you’re in man coverage or maybe we're not moving appropriately or calling the strengths and things like that.  So, definitely need to have a staunch stance on the discipline and make sure that we are we're doing our jobs to the upmost ability,” said Indorf.

Published 11/05/24

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Norwayne Must Stop the Run

          Norwayne, the outright champion of the Wayne County Athletic League, plays at home against Delta in a division V first round playoff game on Friday night.

          The earned that title by beating Hillsdale in what was a championship game (45-21) last Friday.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they were able to make some plays on both sides of the ball.  “I thought our guys did a great job of squelching their offense and making sure we're rallying to the ball and making some plays.  That's not to say we were perfect, but we did it well enough.  Then offensively took care of business up front and controlled the line of scrimmage and made sure that we could run the ball there.  We did an affectively, we had a 200 yard runner on the on the night and we're able to matriculate the ball down the field very well,” said Indorf.

          Mason Moyer ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns against Hillsdale.

          Indorf says coming off such a big game last week might serve them well in their playoff opener.  “I think having solid preparation last week and coming out and playing a solid game will hopefully catalyze us into week one of the playoffs and make sure that we're doing our job as we get on the road there for the playoffs,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “So, definitely need to make sure that we're improving and definitely need to make sure that they're taking further steps to mentally prepare and keep ourselves physically healthy and then physically prepared throughout practice during the week.”

          Norwayne (9-1), #3 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, entertains Delta (6-4) on Friday night.  The Panthers carry a three game losing streak.

          Indorf says they are going to be in some tight sets and try and run the ball.  “Well, the population of athletes that's going to be playing on the field is going to increase in density as we face Delta.  They're going to be in 32 personnel with three backs and two tight ends.  They are definitely going to try to run the ball on us and pound the ball.  So, we're going to have 22 guys in a pretty dense area there.  They do a lot of things up front with their guards and lineman and then do different things with their backs to try to give us a little bit of a tumultuous look.  Hopefully, it's not a conundrum for our linebackers as they need to really focus on reading those keys of their guards,” said Indorf.

Published 10/31/24

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Norwayne Wants that “WCAL” Title Back

          Norwayne despite consistent success has not won a Wayne County Athletic League title since 2020.  They want that streak to end on Friday night when they battle Hillsdale for the outright title.

          The Bobcats and Falcons are both unbeaten in the league going into Friday’s winner talks all game.

          Norwayne (8-1,6-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, downed Smithville (27-14) in a “WCAL” game last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they played sound fundamental football.  “I thought Smithville was continuing to get better as the season went on.  Their physical.  We had to quell their offense a little bit and make sure that we were doing our job as they tried to matriculate down the field.  Our kids responded and continued to work hard and hold on to the fundamentals and ideals and the energy that we desire out of our kids and they brought that with them,” said Indorf.

          Hillsdale (9-0,6-0), #5 in our poll, hammered Rittman (42-7) last week to maintain a share of first.

          Indorf says they have athletes that make plays.  “They’re an athletic team.  They have got a solid quarterback.  They have got a big offensive line.  We're going to have to do a great job,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening,
“We're going to have to be zealots with regard to our goals and energy and then fundamentals and go out there and perform with great effort.  We cannot have a perfunctory performance and make sure that we are doing our very best each and every play.”

          In games like this big plays can carry the day.  Indorf says they have to be able to feed off of those.  “We need to continue to make sure that we're the beneficiary of those big plays and allow lot those to catalyze us.  Continue to make plays as we go through and to be the impetuous in our time in the game and during the game and make sure that we got the sidelines and using the fans as energy to provide us with just a catalyzation of the entire team and energizing force for us,” said Indorf.

Published 10/23/24

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Norwayne Has to Win up Front

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League co-leader, plays at home against Smithville in a “WCAL” game on Friday night.

          The Bobcats share first place with Hillsdale, who they play next week in a possible league championship game.

          Norwayne (7-1,5-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, edged defending league champion Dalton (17-14) last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they just made a few more plays.  “It was a battle for four quarters last week.  It was the team that made the least amount of mistakes and capitalized and scored some points.  So, a tribute to Dalton and them battling for four quarters.  A tribute to our guys the way they responded and continued to fight.  So, I'm really proud of them.  Not the most complete game, or the most mistake free game, but working through this week and trying to get better,” said Indorf.

          Smithville (6-2,3-2) hammered Rittman (42-13) in a league game last week.

          Indorf says the Smithies are going to try and be physical and run the football on Friday night.  “They are big up front and they have got some athletic guys that run the ball.  They want to power the ball and matriculate down the field and make sure that they are kind of just continuing,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “It’s going to be a defensive game where we're going to have to be very disciplined make sure that we're clogging them up, being good up front with techniques and finding the ball trying to get them behind the sticks a little bit.”

          Indorf says they are going to have to play well if they are going to beat Smithville.  “We can't have a perfunctory performance out there.  We need to make sure we're applying physical, playing fundamental football, playing with enthusiasm and then the offense has to go out and be efficient and effective,” he said.

Published 10/18/24

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Point of Attack Important for Norwayne

          Norwayne, the co-leader in the Wayne County Athletic League, plays at arch rival Dalton on Friday night in a key “WCAL” game for both on Friday night.

          Dalton is one game behind both the Bobcats and Hillsdale in the league standings.  The Bulldogs lost (35-31) to Hillsdale last month.

          Norwayne’s game with Chippewa was moved from Friday to Saturday last week in the wake of a tragic auto accident that resulted in the death of 14-year old Aurora Krahenbuhl and the injury of four other students Friday evening.

          Coach Adam Indorf says it was a tough situation, but the football team responded in the way he hoped they would.  “I think our kids responded well under the circumstances and understood that they had a job to do.  A tribute to the community, a tribute to Chippewa everybody was out and supported and prayed each student, Aurora, and the unfortunate accident.  So, although football seems kind of trivial at that point, I think it led to some normalcy and that led to some hopefully some healing for the community and for those involved in the accident, those involved that are closely related or friends with Aurora.  So, I think that was the positive of everything that takes took place,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne beat Chippewa (49-7) on Saturday.

          The Bobcats (6-1,4-0), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, travel to Dalton (5-2,3-1) on Friday night.  The Bulldogs ruffed up Rittman (54-14) last week.

          Indorf says Dalton has a lot of talent all over.  He says they must be able to defend the pass very well.  “Dalton is incredibly talented from skilled positions to offensive line where they're big, defensive line, big and athletic, secondary guys that can cover and move and athletes that swarm to the ball consistently,” he told Swankosports.com on Monday evening, “Defensively, we're going to have to be very, very disciplined, play fundamental football, control the line of scrimmage, make sure that we are not falling asleep in the secondary.  They do like the pass.  Their number one formation is empty, number one play is five step drop, so we're going to have to make sure we are hopefully bringing some pressure on the quarterback making him move and throw awkward to get off balance and throw and then cover in the secondary.”

          Indorf says when they have the ball, they have to be versatile and win the line of scrimmage.  “Offensively, we have to make sure that we are taking what they're giving us, make sure that we are being physical on the line scrimmage, controlling the live scrimmage, and just moving the ball and working for first downs all the time,” he said.

Published 10/08/24

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Norwayne Must Execute Better

          Norwayne will be at home for Chippewa in a game in the Wayne County Athletic League on Friday night.

          The Bobcats (5-1,3-0), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, shares first place with Hillsdale in the “WCAL” standings.

          They had their way in the second half last week and beat Waynedale (45-10) in league action.

          However, coach Adam Indorf says they need to play better.  “We keep stressing that we have got to come out and play with some energy and make sure we're efficient offensively.  Looking at the stats of last week's game you say that we did well, but we have got to execute a little bit better in the red zone.  Make sure we're doing our job and take what the defense is giving us.  We have to make better decisions and put some points on the board with PAT’s.  Overall, just evaluated with how we how we played, things we can improve upon and went to practice this week and try to improve upon those.  Come every day with some energy and the mindset to excel.  Hopefully, that translates on Friday and come out and are efficient from the get, we don't back down and put the foot on the peddle,” said Indorf.

          Chippewa (2-4,1-2) fell to Rittman (22-21) in a league play last week.

          Indorf believes they are physical and will play hard on Friday night.  “They look to continue to improve week to week and doing the right things and getting after it.  They have kids that are going to play hard, they're going to play physical, do a lot of things offensively.  We need to keep focused on them and make sure that we we're doing our jobs defensively.  Our offense, just a lot of different looks from their defense.  We’re going to have to make sure we're recognizing, being able to block and then come off the ball and control the line of scrimmage,” he said.

          With arch rival Dalton coming up next week, Indorf says they have to have focus against Chippewa.  “If last week’s game was anything of reminder for us that we have got to come out and play our game make sure that we'll focus on that game of the week and get after it from the first kickoff to the last whistle,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “We need to make sure that we keep reminding the kids of that game.  Stalling in the red zone and things like that that we need to capitalize upon those.  That anybody any week can come out and challenge us.  They're looking to challenge us and we need to make sure we're taking care of our own.”

Published 10/02/24

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Norwayne Wants More Energy

          Norwayne is over in Apple Creek to play the Waynedale Golden Bears in a Wayne County Athletic League game on Friday night.

          The Bobcats (4-1,2-0), #5 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, share first place in the league with Hillsdale, who they play week 10.

          Last week, they blasted Rittman (42-3) in a league game.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they settled down and played pretty well.  “I think offensively we were efficient and scoring on everything but one drive where we got in trouble with some penalties on that drive.  Defensively, we had to clamp down a little bit and eliminate some bigger plays and make sure we're keyed on things and getting ourselves in the right place and continue to get better,” said Indorf.

          Waynedale (1-4,1-1) lost to Smithville (19-14) in a league game last week.

          Indorf says they are going to be a physical team.  “They're going to be big up front.  They're going to want to power the ball.  We going to have to be stout and win the line of scrimmage defensively.  That's not the not to say that they can't pass the ball.  So, we need to make sure that we're not falling asleep on the backside of the defense make sure we are being sound in everything that we do defensively,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “Offensively the same thing up front.  They are big on defensive line make sure that we are controlling the line of scrimmage.  We're going to take what the defense is giving.  Make sure that we are efficient on all our drives.  Just being efficient and getting first downs and keep moving the ball.”

          Indorf says the key to this week is for the Bobcats to continue to get better as a football team.  “Again, a week where we have to improve.  A week where we have to come out and play physical.  I'd like to see some more enthusiasm and energy this week, but overall just get after it,” he said.

Published 9/25/24

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Norwayne to Face Physical Rittman

          Norwayne travels over to Rittman to meet the Indians in a Wayne County Athletic League game on Friday.

          Last week, they pounded Northwestern (56-0) in their league opener.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they did a lot of good things, but they still have a lot of improvement to make.  “I thought we did a great job of coming out and being efficient.  Setting the tone defensively, being physical and fast to the ball and scoring some points there.  So, does that mean that we were perfect?  Absolutely not, still have got to work on some things.  As a coach I always want to be better and make sure that we are doing our best to improve week to week.  So, went back and had some mental reps on Saturday.  They're working hard working hard to make sure we're doing our best this week to be fast, physical, efficient football players,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne (3-1,1-0), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, plays at Rittman (3-1,0-1) on Friday night.  The Indians lost their first game of the season last week (34-20) to Waynedale in a “WCAL” game.

          Indorf says Rittman is going to try and be a physical run team.  “They're a good team.  They're going to come and be physical offensively. Arthur Sonego, who's tallied up a bunch of yardage so far, runs hard.  They're going to be physical on the offensive line.  So, we're going to have to match that.  Make sure we’re controlling the line of scrimmage, make sure we get off blocks, make sure that we're getting to the ball.  Once we get to the ball we're wrapping and driving our feet and making sure we're getting a sound attack,” he said.

          Indorf says when they have the ball they have to make good decisions.  “Defensively you know and saying that they toss in a bunch of formations and make sure that we are able to identify those, get lined up properly, call the proper strengths and get to the ball,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “For our offense, we need to make sure we're just going to take what Rittman's giving us.  Make sure that we are just being efficient holding on to the ball, moving the ball, working towards first downs throughout the game and above all else control the line scrimmage.”

Published 9/20/24

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Norwayne Has to Contain Huskies

          Norwayne, the preseason favorite, begins play in the Wayne County Athletic League on Friday night when they host the Northwestern Huskies.

          Last week, Norwayne (2-1) outscored Heath (51-29) in a non-conference game.

          Coach Adam Indorf says again they were kind of sluggish at the start of the game, but then put things together.  “I thought we were a little slow in the first half, just not as efficient as we could be and changed some things and second half came out and were pretty smooth. Defensively, it would have been nice to decrease some points there.  We're working and continue get better.  It starts the league this week with, so that’s exciting,” said Indorf.

          Northwestern (1-2) fell to Columbia (43-13) last week.

          Indorf says the Huskies have big play potential and they need to contain that the best they can.  “Northwestern definitely has some weapons offensively.  They have a solid quarterback and solid receivers.  We're going to have to be very disciplined in our rush and have some rush integrity and keep the quarterback in front of us who likes to scramble a little bit and when he gets out he's dangerous.  Defensively, they're going to have guys that are going to get after you.  They have a physical defense.  So, we're going to have to control the line of scrimmage and make sure that we're doing our job up front.”

          Norwayne destroyed Northwestern (70-12) last season.  Now, the Bobcats don’t lose much in the league, but the Huskies beat them (28-20) two years ago at Norwayne.

          A regional media panel voted the Bobcats as the favorite for the “WCAL” title this year.

          Indorf believes it’s important to start that pursuit with a win on Friday night.   “You want to win every one, but starting off the league it's always nice to get a win and set the tone hopefully for the remainder of the season,” he said.

Published 9/10/24

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Norwayne Wants to Polish

          Norwayne hosts Heath in a non-conference game Friday night on week three of the high school football season.

          They demolished Canton Central Catholic (45-7) in their game last week.

          Still coach Adam Indorf says they have to get better.  “Some people might not take this right away, but I thought we played a first half that was not very clean, we had fundamental mistakes and things like that.  So, we have got to make sure that we are addressing those this week and make sure that we are coming out and playing crisp and clean.  I just want to have a complete game and really want to polish everything up,” said Indorf.

          Indorf says they execution of the whole team has to be improved.  “Across the board too.  It wasn't one skill grouping or one individual.  I mean it was across the board.  So, we're going to take some steps this week to make sure that we're addressing that in practice and make sure we're polishing everything up,” he said.

          Norwayne (1-1) is at home for Heath (1-1).  The Bulldogs lost (21-20) to Buckeye Valley last week.

          Indorf says they will be a physical football team that executes their assignments very well.  “They're going to come in and they're going to be disciplined football team.  They're going to play physical. They’re going to play fast.  Again, we're going to have to be disciplined in everything that we do. Disciplined in our approach, physical trying to control the line of scrimmage and then take advantage of what their defense gives our offense,” he told Swankonsports.com, “Then defensively we're have to rally to the ball.  Make sure that we are disciplined in our run fits, disciplined and communicating in the secondary with our coverages.  Overall, play with effort and efficiency.”

Published 9/03/24

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Norwayne Working on Things

          Norwayne looks for win number one on the season as they host Canton Central Catholic in a non-conference game on Friday night.

          They lost a tough one in their opener at St. Clairsville (28-21) last Friday.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they had their chances.  “I thought we came out a little slow going down 14-0.  The defense battled right out of the gate and made St. Clairsville work.  Our offense was a little slow to get coordinated there but resolve and moxie and at halftime there they showed some moxie in second half and really started getting after it.  We went up 21-14 at one point.  Unfortunately, on a fourth down play, we got a guy coming in kind of missed the tackle with the quarterback in space and he throws one up and they completed it and ended up finishing that drive in the end zone,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Our kids battled and hopefully there's going to be a significant amount of growth week one to week two.  A lot of mental things to look at there and fix with regards to alignment assignment type of thing and get after it this week.”

          With the heat like it has been this week practice has been difficult, but Indorf says they have gotten some things done.  “Practice been pretty efficient.  It's been different with some heat going on this week, but we're doing the best we can.  We still got after both days.  Pushing electrolytes in the form of Gatorade at them.  We're preaching about drinking enough water throughout the day and eat well and preparing for Friday,” he said.

          Canton Central Catholic lost (35-0) to Massillon Perry in their opener.

          Indorf says they will be athletic on both sides of the football.  “They're going to be big up front on both sides of the ball and have some athletes in the backfield and then the perimeter on offense and nice athletes in the secondary on defense.  We're going to have to come out and play physical up front.  We're going to have to be downhill defensively and fly to the ball.  Offensively, again be physical up front and I know you like the old adage you've got control the line of scrimmage, which we should and need to do.  Just be fundamental in our approach offensively and take they're going to give us,” said Indorf.

Published 8/29/24

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Norwayne With Good Test Week One

          Norwayne, the favorite in the Wayne County Athletic League, hits the road for St. Clairsville for a non-conference game on Friday night.

          Coach Adam Indorf says there is always a little fear of the unknown on week one of the season.  “I don't think any coach ever feels like that confident week one.  I think we've had good practices this week and polished up some things, learned a lot from scrimmage two and preparing to head down to St. Clairsville,” he said.

          A regional media panel chose the Bobcats to win the “WCAL” title.  They finished second last year.

          Indorf says one of the reasons that game one can be different is because of all of the anticipation for the opener.  “You have got the kids that are eager and you have got the fans that are eager, football is here.  Friday night lights are going to be turned on and that's what the excitement is.  There's just nothing like it nothing like Friday night football in high school and Ohio has got some of the greatest,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne last played St. Clairsville, losing in a state semifinal.

          Indorf says the Red Devils are going to present a big challenge for them in the opener.  “They are a perennial playoff contender and that's going to have a big offensive line.  They have got a heck of a back, a defense that’s swarming and athletic,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “A team that has a lot of tradition.  They are coached well.  So, we're going to have to put together a good game plan and go down there and play well.”

Published 8/22/24

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Norwayne Showing Signs

          Norwayne again figures to be a big factor in the race in the Wayne County Athletic League.

          The Bobcats were “WCAL” runners-up last fall.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they have been coming together as a football team.  “I think we keep improving every day.  Definitely the scrimmage last week, both the physical and mental reps, allowed us to see where we need to fix things and see where we need to go.  The scrimmage this week is going to be an impetus in that improvement process and as we move forward just make sure that we're doing our very best in individual plays and good days to make sure that we're showing some improvement and we're working towards improving,” said Indorf.

          Indorf says practice is one thing, but going against another team is different.  “You’re with your own guys all winter, all summer you know.  You can compete against them, but it surely is different.  We like to use that first scrimmage as a little bit more controlled.  The second scrimmage just a little bit more game like in a sense.  Hopefully, get that final tune up, that polishing for week one.  Then from there you know continue to improve through the season,” he said.

          Norwayne always seems to be at or near the top of the league standings.  Indorf says they do talk about goals with players.  “I think you always want to say you have the goal first of all of defending your home turf at all times.  Second of all you have goals of winning the conference and with our schedule you have the goals of making sure that we're competing in the non league games,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday, “We do have those conversations.  That's early on and that's in the summer usually with our seniors and our leaders.  When it comes season time you really focus on each week.  Each week needs to be a priority.  No looking ahead, you have got to make sure that you're taking care of this week first.”

Published 8/15/24

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Norwayne Plays Defending State Champs

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League champion, hosts defending division II state champion Akron Buchtel in a sectional final on Friday night.

          The Bobcats (21-2) handled Mogadore Field (66-25) in their tournament opener on Tuesday night.

          Coach Brian West says it took them a little time to get going, but when they did, they were very good on defense.  “The tournament is always a different monster and everybody's 0-0 going into it.  Playing at home it doesn't quite seem like a tournament game for the first round or two, so it's kind of tough to get the kids focused or get that atmosphere that you would normally get at a neutral site.  I thought we came out a little bit slow, but second half we held them to two points total in the second half and got a lot better defensively and got some transition buckets to extend the lead,” he said.

          Buchtel (12-8) was the Akron City League winner this year.

          West says this a little different animal for them.  “They're very athletic.  We're probably going to have to change our mindset a little bit as far as normally we're up the floor pressing and trapping and I think we're going to probably have to back off a little bit and try to play more gap defense.  I told the kids (Thursday) at practice if we can limit them to one shot at the offensive end and rebound out of the defenses that we're playing and I like our chances,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “I think we'll be able to score, but we're definitely going to have to handle their pressure.  It's going to be a different pressure than we're used to seeing and sometimes we might have to run press breaker by committee.  They're human, they put their shorts on one leg at a time like they say, just like we do.  It's nice that we get to have them at home.  They are the defending state champions, but they did graduate quite a few kids from last year's team, so they're not as intimidating as they once were, but we're still going to have to play really well.”

          Over the last several years in the division III tournament they have seen teams like this and West doesn’t believe they will be intimidated.  “We brought that up (Thursday) in film session, our seniors have played Lutheran East twice in the regionals, our juniors have played them once.  We've been fortunate enough to make some deep tournament runs here the last couple years in division III and we've run into some teams that are very similar to Buchtel.  Our junior class played together in travel ball middle school ages and elementary ages, so they've seen teams that like Buchtel that like to get up in us and our athletic and they're going to pressure us.  So, I don't think our kids are nervous, I think they're more excited,” he said.

Published 3/01/24

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Norwayne Outright Champs

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League champion, plays at University School in a non-conference game on Tuesday night.

          They earned an outright title with a (51-35) win over Dalton on Friday night.

          Coach Brian West says the Bobcats were able to make the clutch plays in the fourth quarter to pull away.  “The kids were able to stretch the lead down the stretch and hit our free throws, I think we were 9-10 for the game, and we were able to get stops.  We held them to three points in the fourth quarter with zero field goals and just had three free throws.  So, our defense stepped up and got the stops.  When the quarter ran down, we were able to spread the floor and create fouls and hit our free throws.  It's always good to win the league outright.  The Wayne County Athletic League is so competitive year in and year out and anytime you get a chance to do it by yourself it’s special,” said West.

          Norwayne (17-1) had lofty goals to start the season and West says they have done a good job of battling some adversity too.  “We knew going in that we had a chance to hopefully be towards the top of the league and that credit all goes to our kids and the fact that our team chemistry has remained intact.  They're looking for the extra pass night in and night out.  I've been lucky enough at Norwayne that I've had super competitive kids for years and this group is no different,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening “They're pushing each other every single day in practice and they love winning as much as I do and they're perfectionists.  They get upset with themselves if they're making mistakes.  It's not easy to go through the grind of a winter season and keep everybody healthy.  We we're not able to do that, but we had some other kids step up and fortunately for us we're deep enough that we could handle it this year.”

          West says that University School, a bigger school than them, will be a test come Tuesday night.  “Well, they're a division I program and they run a five out motion offense.  They've got some kids that are pretty strong and they have got some pretty good shooters.  That was kind of the idea going into the season.  We tried to load up our schedule a little bit tougher being division II this year for the tournament.  So, this will be our four fourth division I team we play.  Going up to their place and a week night and you never know how the kids are going to respond after winning the league on Friday.  If we’re going to have a letdown or not, but it will be a good test for us.  They're similar style, they like to get up the floor, press, transition offense, so hopefully we don’t have a letdown after Friday and we're ready to go.”

Published 2/13/2024

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Norwayne Can Win Outright Title

          Norwayne will win an outright title in the Wayne County Athletic League if they beat second place Dalton at home on Friday night.

          They put themselves in that position with a (58-40) win over a solid Hillsdale team on Tuesday night.

          Coach Brian West says thy were able to make some shots against the Hillsdale zone.  “I thought our kids did a nice job against their matchup zone.  They sat in a zone most of the night and we were fortunate enough to hit some outside shots early to spread them out a little bit and we attacked the gaps when we needed do and hit some open shots again in the third quarter.  So, I thought playing our second game in a row in the league without our starting point guard.  You never know sometimes your going to get with some kids that aren't used to different positions and playing the minutes they did, but we had some kids step up and play well for us.  That was a big win on the road,” said West.

          Norwayne (16-1,11-0) hosts Dalton (11-6,9-2) on Friday night in league action.  The Bulldogs beat Chippewa (66-54) on Tuesday and they won their last six games.

          West says they want to force the tempo.  “They’ve been playing really well here as of late.  The (Brady) Hignight boy was back, the first night he played this year was our game against them at Dalton, so he wasn't quite in shape yet but, he's coming around.  He's a really nice player.  They have got some size and some strength inside.  Fortunate for us this time around it's at home.  We have the much bigger floor of then Dalton does, so hopefully we can use our speed and our guards to spread them out a little bit,” he said.

          West says winning this title would be really cool.  “Especially being back-to-back. We were able to share it last year with Dalton and Smithville in a three-way tie, so if we could get it back-to-back I think that's even more special,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “I'm one of those guys that I don't like to hear stats and things like that as far as I think it's bad luck or superstitious whatever, but I found out this week that it’s 15 years since anyone has gone undefeated in the Wayne County Athletic League.  So, we have still got a shot at doing that as well, but obviously our focus is just on (Friday) night and get (Friday) night first.”

Published 2/09/24

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Norwayne Won’t Change

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League leader, will be at Rittman for a league game on Friday night.

          The Bobcats lead Hillsdale and Dalton by two games with five to play.  The Falcons and Bulldogs play each other on Friday.

          On Tuesday night, Norwayne beat division I Medina (55-52) on a late three.

          Coach Brian West says they faced some adversity on Tuesday.  “I thought we grew up a lot, not only mentally, but physically because our point guard Parker Metzer, who has been kind of our floor general pretty much all season, he's been playing for me since he was as a freshman, got hurt towards the end of the second quarter and actually did not return in that game.  So, we played the entire second half without him.  We were able to execute down the stretch and Beau Polen hit a big corner three with about six seconds left and we were able to keep them from scoring there at the end to come off with the win on the road,” said West.

          Norwayne (14-1,9-0) is at Rittman (7-9,2-7) on Friday night.  The Indians lost (63-50) to Hillsdale last week in the league.

          West says they have an excellent big kid and they are playing well.  “They are definitely different team than they were the first time around.  They're playing pretty well here as of late and playing at home is always an advantage for anybody.  The (Noah) Wile is pretty solid, he is 6’6”, and he is long, he does shoot from the perimeter as well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “We're going to have to make sure that we do a good job on him, keeping him off the glass and limiting his touches.  We're still going to be without our point guard, so it's going to be a different rotation for us and hopefully have some guys step up that aren't used to playing the minutes that they're going to have to on Friday.”

          Norwayne beat Rittman (72-41) on December 22.

          West says they won’t have Metzger again on Friday, but he has confidence in his replacement.  “It’s definitely going to affect us a little bit.  Tyson Hess is going step in and Tyson is also kid that’s kind of playing quite a few minutes and has been rotating in to run the point at times and has a lot of practice.  So, I have full faith in Tyson to get it done.  We may not get the easy buckets as often as we have with Parker looking up the floor like he did.  We may have to work a little more on the offensive end.  We're still nine deep, which is still deeper than I normally am.  So, we'll still rotate, we'll still press, we're going to do what we do because we are who we are and I have all the confidence in the world in Tyson to get it done,” he said.

Published 2/02/24

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Norwayne Wants to Run

          Norwayne, the leader in the Wayne County Athletic League, hosts Smithville in a league game on Friday night.

          They lost their first game of the season on Saturday night when division I Olentangy blew them out (84-58) in a weekend tournament like game.

          Coach Brian West says they didn’t play their game.  “I think we definitely learned that we have a lot of things that we can get better at as a team. I thought that we got a little bit away from the transition game that we've been playing.  We covered that in practice this week.  We played again at Chippewa on Tuesday and I still don't think we looked up the floor like we had been the previous six or seven games.  I thought we moved the ball up better the last two days in practice and we're able to space the floor a little better, so hopefully we can get back to the speed that we want to play,” he said.

          Now on Tuesday night, the Bobcats (12-1,8-0) returned to action in the “WCAL” with a (60-44) win over Chippewa.

          West says they were good, but not great.  “I thought we started a little bit slow, but credit to Chippewa they came out had a lot of energy off the opening tip and got up on us after the first quarter.  We were able to take the lead in second quarter and held it then till the end.  We have to understand, and we discussed this on our team meeting Wednesday, that we have got to work a little bit on some mental toughness and some focus because having a two game lead in the league with six to go here everybody wants to beat.  You're getting everybody's best effort every Friday night.  I told them you can take the score around one and throw it out the window because it means absolutely nothing.  You start back 0-0 at the opening tip and if you're not ready to go you're going to get beat,” said West.

          Smithville (5-10,3-5) will be at Norwayne on Friday night.  The Smithies lost (70-61) to second place Hillsdale on Tuesday night.  Norwayne won the first game of the series (54-49) on December 15.

          West says they have to make Smithville play faster.  “They're very well coached, coach (Corey) Kaufman does a nice job.  They're going to try to slow it down.  They're very good in the half court.  They don't want to go up and down the floor like we do.  So, the first time they did a good job of slowing us down and making us play in the half court.  To be honest, we just talk about it all the time, we struggle with setting screens in the half court, that's why we like to get out and go as much as we can,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “I think the bigger floor that we have is to our advantage at home.  Our rims are a little bit tougher at home.  Everybody says our rooms are some of the hardest to shoot at in the league, but being in our gym every day we're used to them.  So, I think if we can spread them out a little bit in space and use our quickness.  Hopefully, we can speed the tempo up and get them to take some shots they don't want and hopefully we can get some more open looks this time around.”

Published 1/26/24

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Norwayne Likes to Play Fast

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League leader, plays at Northwestern in a league game on Friday night.

          The unbeaten Bobcats play Olentangy on Saturday night.

          Last week, they beat Waynedale (79-52) on Friday night in league play.

          Coach Brian West says they kind of wore them down.  “I thought our kids came out ready to play.  Obviously, the further we go in the season the target gets bigger on our backs and I thought our kids were focused.  We have a 10 man rotation and I thought we did a nice job with the staff rotating the kids and keeping everyone fresh and kind of wearing Waynedale down as the game went on because they only play six.  So, I thought the kids and one through 10 were ready to go and do what we had to do,” said West.

          Norwayne (10-0,6-0) is at Northwestern (4-7,2-4) on Friday night.  The Huskies lost (77-56) to Hillsdale last week.

          West says they need to execute their fast break and make some open shots.  “Coach (Mark) Alberts is going to have his kids ready to go, there's no doubt.  When you go to Northwestern you never know what's going to happen over there.  It's like a different atmosphere.  They like to play fast like we do as well.  So, we're going to have to take care of the ball and as long as we don't turn it over we will get open shots, we'll just have to be able to make them.  So, as long as we can continue to play up tempo and not turn the ball over then I like our chances,” he said.

          Norwayne plays Olentangy on Saturday in one of the games at the “Battle at the Berkey” at Smithville High School.

          West says it will be good prep for the tournament in about six weeks.  “Friday night's the main concern of the weekend.  I kind of look at Saturday is one of those games that it's a holiday tournament type setting and it's fun to play. it's fun for the kids, neutral site, playing against a bigger school.  These are one of those games that you just want to get ready for the tournament and see your kids compete,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “There's not a lot of pressure.  You want to focus on the little things and get better from the big picture and things down the road.  Us being division II this year it's going to be big playing division I Olentangy and we've got Medina here on the horizon as well.”

Published 1/18/2024

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Norwayne Has to Protect the Lane

          Unbeaten Norwayne, the leader of the Wayne County Athletic League, plays host to Waynedale in a league game on Friday night.

          Last week, the Bobcats (9-0,5-0) beat Dalton (58-41) in a league action.

          Coach Brian West says defense gave them the advantage.  “I thought we did a nice job in the second half of speeding Dalton up a little bit.  I thought they handled our pressure pretty well the first quarter.  We did give up 18 points in the first quarter and then obviously 41 for the game.  So, I thought defensively we got a lot better quarters two through four and we're able to get some transition buckets in the second half from our pressure and kind of spread the lead out a little bit and we're able to execute when we needed to,” said West.

          Waynedale (6-4,3-2) shares second place in the “WCAL”, two games behind Norwayne.  They beat Sugarcreek Garaway (63-60) in a non-conference game on Tuesday night.  They beat Hillsdale (69-57) in a league game last Friday.

          West says if they shoot it well, they are a dangerous team.  “They're very well coached.  They're very disciplined, they run a lot of the Princeton style sets.  If they shoot the ball well, they're very, very dangerous,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “I think they do a nice job spreading teams out and at least (Tuesday) night at Garaway did a great job getting to the paint and kicking or dropping it off to their bigs for layups.  So, on Friday we're going to have to do a good job of keeping those guys out of the key and try to keep them on the side as much as we can.”

          West says that is a big key, keeping the Golden Bears out of the painted area of the court.  “We’ve preached we force everything baseline and obviously we're not giving up the baseline, but we preach all the time that even offensively if we can use the middle of the floor you just have multiple options to be able to kick or dump down.  So, if we can pin teams on the side to kind of lend us their offensive and keep teams from reversing the ball it frustrates them often,” he said.

Published 1/10/2024

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Norwayne Wants to Push it

          Norwayne plays at Smithville Friday night in a game in the Wayne County Athletic League.

          They are part of the Steve Smith Classic at Orrville on Saturday and will play Wooster Triway.

          Last week, they demolished Chippewa (66-25) in a league game on Friday and Akron Ellet (73-44) on Saturday.

          Coach Brian West says they were able to force their game plan on both opponents. “It was a good weekend for us.  I thought to be honest, we weren't really great against Orrville the opening night even though we got the win I thought we were all sloppy, a little bit sluggish.  I thought we had a really good week of practice last week leading into our first league game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “To be honest I did not expect the 66-25 win over Chippewa.  I thought that it would be much closer game, but I thought our kids came out set the tone with our transition and our press and I thought our intensity was really good.  We shared the ball and shot a lot of layups and we were fortunate enough to carry that over again on Saturday as well.”

          Wooster Triway (2-2) beat Smithville (2-2) (57-47) in a game that was played Tuesday night that West was on hand to scout.

          He says the Smithies will try to slow the tempo down against them.  “They're very physical I thought.  I went and watched that game (Tuesday) night and I thought that the screen really well and coach Coffman always got his kids playing really good, physical defense and he's always well prepared.  So, I think they're probably going to try to slow it down on us as much as they can and then we're going to try to speed it up.  So, I guess it's going to be whichever team is successful doing what they want to do,” said West.

          West says Triway has a young squad in places, but they have a lot of kids that can score.  “Triway has got four or five kids that can score.  So, they're definitely going to be scary, they're going to be tough to defend.  Their athletic, they've got some young kids, they've got two freshmen to play quite a bit that are very talented.  They handle it well.  So, I think if we have anything left in the tank after Smithville on Friday night Saturday is definitely going to be a tough test for us down at Orrville against Triway,” he said.

Published 12/13/23

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Norwayne Trying to Grow

          Norwayne shared the Wayne County Athletic League title last season and they open the league schedule at home against the Chippewa Chipps on Friday night.

          They beat Orrville (57-40) in their season opener last Friday.

          However, coach Brain West says there were some issues.  “How to be honest with you, I didn't feel great after the game live and then after watching the film I really didn't feel good about it, but first game and teenage kids.  We’re still working through some things.  We are deeper than we've been in years past, but on the other hand even though some of those kids are returning letter winners this is the first major minutes they played as varsity players,” said West.

          With some younger players as part of their varsity mix this year, West says this is a team that will mature a lot this season.  “It's going to take them a few weeks to really get used to the speed, the strength and just the constant and endurance that it's going to take for us to play up the floor like we'd like.  So, we're getting there.  We had a pretty good week of practice and we know we have got our hands full (Friday) night with Chippewa,” he said.

          Chippewa (0-2) lost last weekend (66-63) to Lake Center Christian and (64-58) to Cloverleaf.

          West says they have a couple of returning players that they will have to concern themselves with.  “They have got two really good players that are returning.  The (Brendan) Donnelly boy that runs the point does a really nice job.  Everything kind of flows through him as far as their pace, shoots the ball really well, and handles it well, he's pretty strong for a guard.  Then Tillman Brown started at times for them last year, came off the bench at times, he's a 6’4” lefty.  You know lefties are hard to guard.   I've always thought that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “We always like to have lefties on our team everything just seems a little odd and a little off and he's big and long and they're both averaging about 20 points a game over their first two games.  So, everything runs through those two and they're going to get theirs.  We know we're not going to shut them out, so we’ve got to make sure we you try to keep them in front of us as much as we can and make sure we locate shooters when they're driving and kicking.”

Published 12/8/23

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Norwayne Will Play Orrville

          Norwayne, defending tri-champion in the Wayne County Athletic League, beings its season on Friday night at home against Orrville of the Principal’s Athletic Conference.

          Coach Brain West believes that his kids have done the things in the preseason to be ready to go.  “I thought we had a pretty good scrimmage on Tuesday at Northwest, the boys were pushed.  Northwest likes to come up the floor like we do and they were really physical with us, so it was really good test for us.  I think we learned some things from that scrimmage and when we got a chance to watch the film and review some things in practice.  We have got a long way to go obviously.  We don't want to be peaking going into game one.  After practice (Thursday) as a staff we were talking that (Thursday’s) practice wasn't as sharp as we had hoped, but we also have to keep thinking that we have a few boys that were mainly JV guys last year that playing varsity minutes for the first time, so it's going to be a work in progress, but we're excited to get going,” said West.

          West says you never know for sure because games are different.  “It's going to be nice to have a lot of people in the stands, the cheerleaders and everybody's going to be there, announcers, and probably some media, so it's definitely different than practice it's definitely different than scrimmage. The kids are tired of beating on each other every day.  So, I think they're going to be excited to see somebody different across from us and it’s actually going to matter this time.  So, I think, obviously, the intensity level is going to pick up on our end and I’m sure Orville as well.  So, it's not a true scrimmage feel, so I think the kids are as excited as we are as a staff,” he said.

          West says Orrville may be missing a few of their players, but he says they Red Riders are going to be a challenge.  “I know they're going to be missing a few kids that are normally going to be in their lineup, but they have Taj Gibson, a 6’6” kid that came out this year that that did not play last year.  So, he's going to be an issue for us inside because we're not real big, but I think they're guards move the ball well on the perimeter.  They have got some guys that can shoot it pretty well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “We're hoping that if we can speed them up and pressure them a little bit, hopefully we can force them into some turnovers and get some easy buckets for us at the other end to get some momentum early.  Coach (Jim) Frizell does a great job with his kids.  They're going to play hard, they're going to move the ball, they're going to get up in us defensively, so it's going to be a nice test for us to get started on the season and it gets us ready for league play.”

Published 12/01/23

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Norwayne With Depth

          Norwayne, the defending co-champion in the Wayne County Athletic League, will return this year with another strong team that’s going to compete for that title again.

          Coach Brain West says they have some starters back and this season the Bobcats are going to be deep.  “We actually have quite a few kids that are back that are returning letter winners.  We have two starters, actually three starters back.  Our leading scorer in Braden West, my son, led us last year, as far as returners, with 10 points a game, Parker Metsker will move to the point guard this year, he'll be a two year starter and Trey Bayless is a senior, he'll be a two year starter for us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “I think our depth is going to be something, will probably be eight or nine deep, we haven't been that deep in years past and possibly going into ten players deep.  So, we have more depth than we've had probably since I've been here in my 17 years.  We have quite a bit of experience coming back, so we're excited for the season.”

          The Bobcats have looked pretty good in the preseason so far, according to West.  “We've had two pretty good scrimmages.  We had North Ridgeville and Buckeye down on Friday night and those are some bigger schools.  North Ridgeville's got a nice player that's going to Lake Erie on a full ride.  So, we've been challenged in our preseason scrimmages and I thought our kids have responded and we’ve played hard and we played aggressive.  We're trying to get up the floor like we did last year, so I think our depth is helping us with that as well,” he said.

          West says they are going to have similar goals to what they always do, but this year they are a division II school.  “Goals are pretty high every year for our program, which is fortunate for us, I guess good and bad at times.  We're going to sit down probably (Monday) night and set some team goals as a group.  Obviously, winning the league is going to be number one.  We are division II this year, hopefully for a year, we are just four over, so we're one of the smallest schools in division II.  So, that's going to be a challenge for us in the tournament moving up a division, but I think our kids are ready for the challenge and they've played some pretty high level games over the years, so I don't think the stage would be too big for us,” said West.

Published 11/21/23

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Norwayne Has to Remain Disciplined

          Norwayne, runner-up in the Wayne County Athletic League, Friday night will entertain Lorain Clearview in division V regional quarterfinal.

          In their playoff opener, the Bobcats (10-1) outscored Youngstown Liberty (56-33) last Friday.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they played better as the game went along.  “I thought we did fairly well.  A lot of big plays were where they gained their points, broken plays and their athletes were athletes and made some action and made some things happen and we weren't able to stop it.  It took us a little bit to get our offense clicking, but I think once we did, little tweaks here and there at halftime, and we were able to put some points up,” he said.

          Clearview (9-2) beat Burton Berkshire (33-12) in their first playoff game.

          Indorf says they have an offense that makes a lot of playground sort of plays in the pass game.  “They're going to be a solid team.  They have an athletic quarterback.  He can scramble and when they get in the scramble drill, he does a tremendous job with him and his receivers making some plays.  We’re just going to have to be disciplined in everything we do, disciplined in coverage, disciplined in communication and that piece,” he told Swankonports.com on Wednesday evening, “We're going to try to dial up some pressures and make some things happen, but understand that that once he starts to scramble those receivers are going to do a tremendous job in trying to get open.  There are athletes in the backfield, athletes on the perimeter, that we have to account for.”

          When they have the ball, Indorf says they need to take advantage of what the defense is giving them.  “Defensively for them, it’s a 4-4.  We're going to have to make sure that we are figuring out how we can formation some things and figure out what plays are going to work for us and just take what the defense has given us and be consistent in the pass and run game and do our best,” he said.

Published 11/02/23

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Norwayne Has to Be Disciplined

          Norwayne, the runner-up in the Wayne County Athletic League, plays host to Youngstown Liberty in a first round division V playoff game on Friday night.

          Last week, the Bobcats (9-1), #3 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, beat Smithville (4-17) in “WCAL” game last Friday.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they faced some weather issues, but did a good job.  “I think we came out and played fairly well.  Weather hindered us a little bit.  The first time all season we saw a little bit of a little bit of rain and then we're on natural grass where we're on turf most of the time and that impeded us a little bit and we got a little bit of a slower start, but then got it cranked up and got after it and finished well,” said Indorf.

          Liberty (5-5) brings a three game winning streak into the game after a (67-21) blow out of Campbell Memorial last week.

          Indorf says they have some athletes and they will have to be disciplined.  “They're going to be athletic.  They have some athletes on the field.  For us defensively, we're going to have to play really disciplined and make sure we're trying to have a run fits, be discipline up front, keep an eye on the quarterback and the running back and read their options and then rally to the football defensively,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “Offensively, know what font they're in if they switch up fronts, we saw a few variations, know what front they're in and make sure our blocking assignments are going to be good and then just take what the defense is going to give us.”

          Indorf says they will have to be ready for some surprises.  “That's the part of our defense just being disciplined in your reads, resetting every play and making sure that you're doing the same thing and being solid and everything that you do,” he said.

Published 10/27/23

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Norwayne Ready to Play Smithville

          Norwayne closes the regular season with a visit to Smithville for a game in the Wayne County Athletic League.

          A win would give them two homes games in the division V playoffs.

          They suffered their first loss of the season in heartbreaking fashion last week as Dalton edged them (34-29) in the league championship game.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they had a great opportunity, but came up just short.  “I thought we played really, really tough and rose to the challenge and played a heck of a ballgame, but did come up short.  We did have an opportunity to win at the end.  With two seconds on the clock and at the six yard line.  We ran a play and got a pass interference on them that took us to three yard line.  We had an opportunity, made a call, it looked good, just missed a block and that was ball game,” said Indorf.

          Coming off a loss like that can be very tough, but Indorf believes his kids has reacted well.  “I think they're working really hard trying to get back on the right track.  They know they have got a lot of time ahead of them.  Some opportunities here as we work to finish up week 10 here in the regular season and then move on to the second part of our season and the playoffs,” he said.

          Norwayne (8-1,5-1), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches in the small school division, is at Smithville (5-4,3-3) on Friday night.  The Smithies lost (28-14) to Rittman in a league game last week.

          Indorf says Smithville has good skill and they are well coached.  “They have got some athletes in the backfield, a big line, so we’re going to have to be disciplined and make sure that we're using our technique and our skill and doing our very best defensively,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “Offensively, against their defense they run a three front, do some movement up front and some kids with some great technique.  So, we're going to have to come off the ball and make sure that were managing the line of scrimmage and take what the defense is giving us,” said Indorf.

Published 10/20/23

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Norwayne Must be Intense

          It is the Wayne County League title game for all intents and purposes on Friday night when the Norwayne Bobcats host Dalton.

          Both are unbeaten in league play.

          More chances than not over the last decade it has come down to this game, but Bobcats coach Adam Inform says they don’t treat Dalton any differently than anyone else.  “Not really tremendously.  I mean we know that they're on the schedule.  We know that there's potential that they're going to be good, but we really focus on what is the hand that week and be 1-0 at the end of every week,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne (8-0,5-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, is at home for Dalton (6-1,5-0), #2 in our poll, on Friday night.  Norwayne beat Chippewa (50-0) and the Bulldogs smoked Rittman (47-6) in their league game last week.

          Indorf says Dalton is not going to beat itself and they are athletic at every level.  “They're going to be incredibly disciplined, they're going to be fundamental across the board, have a good athletes in the backfield and in the secondary,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “The perimeter offensively and the secondary there on defense they like coming downhill, they flying around, linebackers are going to be good at scraping, good hands, good feet, with their defensive lineman.”

          Indorf says he believes the game is going to won at the point of attack.  “You have to match intensity, match their physicality and we've said it before, it's all won at the line of the scrimmage,” he said.

          The Norwayne coach says they have to be very good in practice this week, so they can be very good on Friday night.  “We're preaching that we're going to be great through the week in preparation.  Make sure that preparing both physically and mentally as far as getting film study.  When we're at that practice everything has got to be efficient and be effective get the game speed reps,” said Indorf.

Published 10/10/23

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Norwayne Wants to Play to Its Potential

          Norwayne, the co-leader of the Wayne County Athletic League, plays at Chippewa in a league game on Friday night.

          Right now, the Bobcats (7-0,4-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, share the “WCAL” lead with Dalton.  They play the Bulldogs next week.

          They blanked Waynedale (43-0) last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they were very good on both sides of the ball.  “I thought we played pretty well for the most part.  Obviously, we left a couple scores out there, at least had a couple drives stopped because of a penalty or a mistake or something of that nature.  You always want to strive for perfection and finish those.  Defensively, we played pretty well and rallied to the ball and did a good job with that.  We got a pick six and another interception for the night.  So, I thought overall did pretty well,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne has forced a boatload of turnovers this year and Indorf says that can really get them going.  “It definitely creates some momentum and helps catalyze a little bit of the offensive, it rallies those guys, so doing that is a great job.  We've challenged our kids to get a little bit of film and make sure that they are studying their opponent, studying their position and I think that's really helped,” he said.

          Chippewa (1-6,0-4) lost (41-0) to Rittman last week in league play.

          Indorf says they have to play their game.  “It looks like they're trying to do everything fundamentally and doing a great job of doing that.  We will challenge our guys come to out and play fast and physical, be efficient with the ball offensively and eliminate anything that could be a drive killer,” he told Swanknsports.com on Thursday evening, “Defensively, challenging those guys to rally to the ball get all 11 hats to the ball and play a physical game.”

          With Dalton next week, this could be a trap game and Indorf says they have addressed that.  “We've challenged our kids to focus on the week and be 1-0 at the end of the week and trying to strive to reach our potential.  If we reach our potential each week and get better each week and that improves us as a whole throughout season,” he said.

Published 10/06/23

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Norwayne Wants to be Physical

          Norwayne, the co-leader in the Wayne County Athletic League, hosts Waynedale in a league contest on Friday night.

          They picked up their sixth win a row last week by blanking Rittman (40-0) in a “WCAL” game.  They remain in a share of the lead with Dalton, who they play in two weeks.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they did enough to win last week.  “I thought we handled ourselves okay.  I didn’t like the way we started, but as the game went on we got after it,” he said.

          Indorf says they always tell the kids to play the play that’s in front of them.  “We tell our kids next play mentality and continue to work.  It’s the whole combination of the game, the plays that are within the game, it's not one play that makes the entire game,” he said.

          Norwayne (6-0,3-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, plays at home against Waynedale (1-5,1-2) on Friday night.  The Golden Bears lost (21-7) to third place Smithville last week.

          Indorf says they execute their stuff pretty well.  “They run just a few different formations, but what they do they do really well.  They try to mix it up about 50/50 run/pass,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “ They have an athletic quarterback good, running back, big offensive line.  So, just disciplined smash mount football in the Wayne County Athletic League this week.”

          Indorf adds that anytime you play a “WCAL” game, you better be a physical football team.  “Even back to my days when I played high school football in the Wayne County Athletic League it was physical.  That’s what I preach.  We have to control the line of scrimmage make sure that we're doing our jobs trying to impose our will and just get after it,” said Indorf.

Published 9/26/23

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Norwayne Has to Keep Working

          Norwayne, the co-leader in the Wayne County Athletic League, hosts Rittman in a league game on Friday night.

          They continue to share the lead with Dalton and will play the Bulldogs on week nine.

          Last week, they dominated Northwestern (70-12) in a league game.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they didn’t get off to a very good start, but they got it going pretty quickly.  “I mean right out of the gate we tried to go man coverage got busted coverage and they ran one off for 72 yards.  On offense, we were able to put a few scores up and try and control the last scrimmage.  We challenged our guys at the half a little bit to be a little bit more detail oriented, a little bit more attention to detail, which we did in the second half and did a great job and came away with the W,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne (5-0,2-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, hosts Rittman (4-1,1-1) on Friday night.  Before losing to Waynedale (12-7) last week, the Indians won their first four games for the first time since 1991.

          Indorf believes they will be ready to play.  “First of all they're coming off of a loss, so they're going to come back at it and be disciplined and coming for vengeance.  I have always told our kids we have a target on our backs, so we need to be prepared and ready.  They have a great running back, good quarterback, they do a little more run than pass, but they can still hurt you,” he said.

          For the Bobcats they have to keep getting better in order to accomplish some of the goals they have and Indorf says that’s what their preaching.  “We talked about our vision (Thursday) and where we want to be and make sure that we're continuing to battle, continuing to fight, continuing make attempts to detail through the week.  Give us effort through those game speed reps,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “We watched a little video on chopping wood and that the preparation for the winter doesn't start when winter comes it starts in the summer and in the spring and how that all ties into the season.  We've got to continue to battle, continue to fight, continue to work towards our vision and never stop.”

Published 9/22/23

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Norwayne Wants to Create Havoc

          Norwayne takes its act to Northwestern to face the Huskies in a game in the Wayne County Athletic League on Friday night.

          Last week, the Bobcats (4-0,1-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, routed a solid Hillsdale team (49-14) in the league opener for both.  Quarterback Jaxon Siegentler threw three touchdown passes and the Bobcats returned to picks for scores on the Falcons first two possessions.

          Coach Adam Indorf acknowledges they played a great game, but adds there is certainly room for growth.  “The kids played really well.  Obviously, some things we're going to address and try to fix and so we'll get better this week.  We're challenging our kids to have a great week of practice and make sure we're getting those game speed reps and make sure that we're being efficient in everything.  We treat it like it's game and we're doing our job to improve our potential,” said Indorf.

          Northwestern (0-4,0-1) fell to Rittman (31-6) in their league opener.

          Indorf says they have to slow down the Northwestern pass game.  “The Huskies are so athletic and want to throw the ball a fair amount.  We’re going to have to be solid in our coverage with communication, discipline, trying to create some pressures up front, get some quarterback harasses and some hits on the QB early,” he said.

          Pressure will be big part of their plan as Indorf says they want the Huskies to feel uncomfortable.  “You want to make him feel like he's throwing in a phone booth.  If we get a couple sacks it is going to help us out, a couple sacks with some big hits that's something that's positive for us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Just try to keep him off balance with our approach there and how we move guys and how we're bringing different pressures, how we're changing coverages in different reads, so he's got to work a little bit in there.  Plus, if we get some guys in this face that's a positive as well.”

Published 9/12/2023

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Norwayne Tangles With Hillsdale

          It’s key early season battle in the Wayne County Athletic League on Friday night as Norwayne is at home for the Hillsdale Falcons.

          They both finished a game behind co-winners Dalton and Northwestern in the league last season.

          Norwayne (3-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, beat Heath (38-25) in a non-conference game last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they got off to a good start and then were able to hang on.  “It was a long road trip down there.  We came out and we're up 28-0 at the half playing well and came out in the second half and had a couple drives that we faulted on and made some mistakes and ultimately let them back in the game.  Heath’s a good ball team and they might take advantage of all that, so they did and we had to continue to battle and face adversity and finally came out you know victorious at the end,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne overwhelmed Hillsdale (70-14) last season,

          This year the Falcons are (3-0) and are coming off a (31-3) thumping of Loudonville.

          Indorf says they have shown some versatility on offense.  “Offensively, they have got a good quarterback that can run and pass the ball.  A couple of good backs that they would like to utilize.  Try to keep your balance with a little bit of option, whether it be stretch option or triple option, some wing-T stuff and motion and things like that,” he told Swakonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “We need to be incredibly disciplined, especially with the option in our approach defensively.  For them defensively, we see them in an odd front and an even front, so we need to be ready for them to change fronts mid series or series by series and then just take what the defense is giving us.”

          Quarterback Jack Fickes has run for four scores this season, he is the Falcons rushing leader with 208 yards, but he has also thrown six TD passes, four of them last week.

          Indorf says they have to be disciplined on defense.  “You have to make good reads right at the snap and make sure that you are reading it actually so that we can either get in a drop or commit to the run once you decipher whether it's pass or run.  If it’s pass, we have to make sure that we're figuring out the routes and communicating that as they're running their routes and then otherwise if it's a run those run fits and it’s vitally important that we are incredibly disciplined,” he said.

Published 9/06/23

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Norwayne Must be Disciplined

          Norwayne takes the bus to Heath on Friday night to meet the Bulldogs in a non-league game.

          Last week, the Bobcats (2-0) handled Canton Central Catholic (33-7) on week two.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they made some big plays, but they weren’t as consistent as he would have liked.  “The score is a little different than what we did.  We did do a pretty good job and we had some turnovers to help through that and a score on defense to help do that.  I think we had some mistakes in the second quarter effort and just mental mistakes that I really didn't like, so we have got to grow up on that.  Overall, what we did do well is we continued to play.  We did play after play after play and responded appropriately and continued to battle adversity and ultimately win the ball game,” said Indorf.

          Something you find with good teams is the players want to get better and Indorf says they have that this year.  “These guys really want to learn and they do want to get better and just focus and they take the coaching and try their very best and improve and watch film and take pointers when we're watching film as well.  That definitely helps and they understand that every week they have got to take strides in their game to improve the team,” he said.

          Heath (2-0) smoked Licking Valley (46-17) last week.

          Indorf says on both sides of the ball Heath has players and they are going to have to be disciplined in their play.  “Defensively they run a 3-3 stack.  They run multiple coverages with cover two or cover one or varied coverage.  The middle linebacker definitely is a ballplayer comes downhill really well and chases things down, athletes in the secondary that can make some plays.  Heath offensively has got a solid quarterback that can definitely throw the ball.  A running back that runs incredibly determined and a line that gets off the ball and tries to change the line of scrimmage,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “For us it's going to take a good effort to go down there and be disciplined in our approach.  Make sure that we are doing our very best every play.  Have a short memory and coming back every play if something bad happens respond to adversity defensively.  Defensively, be incredibly disciplined keeping quarterback in front of us while trying to be aggressive with our blitzing.  In the secondary, making sure that we are identifying threats, communicating routes as they're happening, communicating coverages.  Offensively, we're going to try to create some mismatches a little bit with formations or leverage with some formation and try to get some things going on, but ultimately offensively just take what they're given and be incredibly disciplined at the line of scrimmage and as always control the line of scrimmage.”

Published 8/31/23

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Norwayne Doing Good Things

          Norwayne, of the Wayne County Athletic League, will be on the road Friday night as they travel to Stark County to face the Canton Central Catholic Crusaders.

          In the opener last week, the Bobcats drilled Brookfield (56-7) on Friday night.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they got rolling pretty early.  “We came out and I think some of the first few drives were a little slow, but then after that we responded and we got after it.  Really proud of the way the kids responded after that.  We did face a few adversity issues and we continued to work through that.  Obviously, a lot of growth needs to happen between week one and week two here.  It was really the first live action, I know we have scrimmages, but this is when it really means something and trying to get a bunch of growth this week and head to Central against very good Central team,” said Indorf.

          This week, Indorf says his kids have had an attitude of improvement during practice and that’s what he wants to see.  “Our kids this year have a have a good attitude and wanting to get better and understand that they need to practice at a game speed trying to replicate it as much as possible without really killing everybody.  They're coming out and they're willingness to learn and to be coached and want to be coached is really good,” he said.

          Canton Central Catholic (0-1) lost to Massillon Perry (42-25) last Friday in their opener.

          Indorf says the Crusaders are electrifying on offense and they are a big concern for the Bobcats.  “Offensively, they're going to be a spread team.  They like to pass the ball a little bit.  Go anywhere from empty to three by one or two by two, one tight end in the ball game, and two backs type of thing.  What we've seen is they pass the ball a lot, they run jet, they do have viable quarterback that can run the ball as well, so that's something that we have to be incredibly disciplined with,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Defensively, they're going to move a little bit up front, they're going to come downhill from the linebacker position, they're going to run really well in the secondary.  So, for us it's going to be a little bit of time kind of feeling him out see how they adjust us, move to us as far as our offense.  Then really trying to work those things that are being fruitful throughout the game.”

Published 8/24/23

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Norwayne Must be Disciplined

          Norwayne, always one of the best teams in the Wayne County Athletic League, and a successful playoff team over the years, opens the season Friday by hosting Brookfield in a non-conference game.

          Coach Adam Indorf says game week has a different tempo, a different feel, than the preseason.  “You have something to play for and now it actually counts because it’s in the “W” or “L” column, so you have to make sure that you are stepping it up a little bit and learning from your two scrimmages and learning from everything that you have done in camp and do your very best with effort and focus throughout the week of this this week one,” said Indorf.

          As for Brookfield, from Trumbull County, north of Youngstown, Indorf says they are both physical and athletic.  “I know that they have been pretty dominant over the past ten years or so.  They have tremendous athletes and they have got a good line,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “Defensively, they're going to be really active on the middle, trying to stop the run.  They are physical on the defensive line.  Offensively really trying to hit the edges, really changes and try to get out in the open field and make something happen.”

          Indorf says they try to always limit big plays and that will especially be the case this week.  “You want to limit big plays all the time you do that with consistency, you do that with discipline and that's what we're preaching, really focusing on each athlete controlling what they can control they control.  Making sure they are giving great effort in practice, they're also giving some mental reps with film and things like that so that they can come and be as disciplined as they can possibly be,” he said.

Published 8/15/23

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Norwayne Working on Execution

          Norwayne, coming off a share of second place in the Wayne County Athletic League, and will again has the horses to have a good season.

          That’s something that become common place for the Bobcats.

          Coach Adam Indorf says he likes the approach the players have carried from the offseason to preseason camp.  “We saw a lot of the offseason and our guys working harder over the summer coming into camp and hit the ground running and really trying to focus on every detail and making sure we're bringing energy and effort getting better every day,” he said.

          Indorf says they have some key kids returning to the lineup and some spots they will have to fill with new guys.  “It’s a mixed group.  We've lost most of our skilled guys, replacing the quarterback, but have a running back and receiver back a few linemen, but we do have to replace some key guys.  So, we've got some guys stepping up, some guys competing for spots and looking good here in camp,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne opens the season at home against Brookfield on August 18.  They follow that up with non-league games with Canton Central Catholic and Heath.

          Indorf says they certainly have some things to button up.  He adds that first week is especially hard to prepare for.  “Just making sure we have the proper depth, the proper guys in the right place, just shoring up a few things here you know as we were moving to week one,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Week one is always difficult to kind of plan and prep for with just two scrimmages of film on hand and really going in with minimal scouting.  So, making sure that we have got everything in line, we have got all our I’s dotted and T’s crossed and ready to go.”

Published 8/10/23

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Execution, Physicality Big Keys for Norwayne

          Norwayne plays Canton Central Catholic is district final in division III at Wooster High School on Friday night.

          The Bobcats (20-4) beat Chippewa, a fellow member of the Wayne County Athletic League, (60-45) in a semifinal played on Monday.

          Coach Brian West says after a slow start the played their game.  “Well, I thought we played well for three quarters.  I thought the first quarter we were a little sluggish out of the gate and we didn't screen real well, we didn't run the floor like we normally do, but I thought we'd pick up the pace the second, third and fourth quarters and we're able to go a halfcourt trap the second and third quarter and turn them over and that led to breakaway layups and I think that changed the entire complexion of the game,” he said.

          Canton Central Catholic downed Garfield Heights Trinity (60-50) in their semifinal on Tuesday.

          West says they are going to play a lot of zone.  “They are very fundamental, very well coached.  Most of the film that we have on them they play zone.  So, we are anticipating a lot of zone.  They have some length and they have got a couple guards that are pretty athletic,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “I think as far as our league goes they probably remind me a lot of Smithville.  They are very fundamental and they get up in you defensively even though they play zone they will get up and pressure the ball little bit.  So, they are going to try and slow it down a little bit and then try to make us work at the defensive end.  So, we're going to have to play physical and be able to execute in our half court sets.”

          Tournament basketball is a more physical brand of basketball and West says you have to play through that.  “The further down the trail you get the more physical the game becomes, right or wrong, that's just the way it is.  Fortunately for us, we've been able to make this trip here a few times now the last few years, so our kids are used to it they know what to expect,” he said.

          Norwayne has won three straight district titles and West says they are familiar with what is required.  “We are fortunate, this fourth straight district title game and we were fortunate to win the three previous, so we've kind of been here done that type thing.  Then we are familiar with Wooster, we've been here all four years.  Our kids are used to that atmosphere and our community comes out and supports like no other.  So, it's going to be an electric atmosphere, but we're used to it, so hopefully we just get down there on (Friday) night and get down to business,” said West.

Published 3/03/23

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Norwayne Won’t Change Who They Are

          Norwayne, the tri-champion of the Wayne County Athletic League, hosts Massillon Tuslaw, of the Principal’s Athletic Conference, in a division III tournament game on Friday night.

          On Tuesday night, they smoked Campus International (88-36) in their first tournament game.

          Coach Brian West says they needed to be focused for that game and they were.  “I thought the kids came out fast in the first quarter like we like to and we came out focused and jumped on them early and things just kind of steamrolled on there for a little bit.  I guess the most important thing is come out healthy and able to move on with your whole squad and we were able to do that,” he said.

          Norwayne (19-4), #4 in the final Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, plays Massillon Tuslaw (1-21) on Friday night.

          West says the Mustangs are going to be physical and they are going to try and limit the possessions in the game.  “I think they're very strong, they play physical, I think they like to slow it down offensively a little bit.  So, if they're able to slow us down offensively I think they can give us some issues,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Hopefully, we're going to be able to speed them up.  Their guards, I think if we can get them in a transition game we can wear them out and hopefully get them to go to their bench.  We're obviously a team that likes to play fast, so that's going to be our goal from the opening tip.”

          Sometimes a team that during the regular season has played with a quick tempo doesn’t do that has much in the postseason.  West says they want to be true to themselves.  “We actually talked about that (Thursday) as a staff.  As we move down the tournament trail here, if we're able to get by Tuslaw on (Friday), that some teams are going to try to play as fast as we do and maybe we want to slow it down.  I thought you our kids have been wired now for two years to go as fast as we can.  So, I think we're going to try to continue to do what we're good at and hopefully be able to get some transition buckets and complement each other with our passing and we're going to do what we do and right until the end,” said West.

Published 2/24/23

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Norwayne Wants Outright Title

          Norwayne plays at Dalton on Friday night and at skate is an undisputed title in the Wayne County Athletic League.

          If Dalton wins, they would share the banner with Norwayne.  Smithville would also have that opportunity if they beat Chippewa on Friday.

          Last Friday, the Bobcats earned a share with a (84-45) whipping of Hillsdale in a league game.

          Coach Brian West says they were focused for that game against the Falcons.  “It could have been a trap game and we had one of our starters get hurt early in the week and is still not back, hopefully going to get cleared this Thursday, we're hoping.  So, we weren't quite sure what we were going to get and you know teenage kids.  We beat Hillsdale the first time around pretty handily at their place and you just never know how they're going to approach it mentally, but I was proud of the kids they came out focused.  We played fast, as we've been playing here as of late, and had a really big first quarter and got things going for us,” he said.

          Norwayne (18-3,12-1), #3 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, plays at Dalton (12-8,11-2) on Friday night.  The Bulldogs beat Chippewa (62-50) on Friday night to keep pace.  In the first meeting between Norwayne and Dalton it was (45-44) Bulldogs on January 13.

          West says Dalton has an outstanding player in Braylon Wenger and the first time they played the Bulldogs did a great job controlling the tempo of the game.  “Wenger was actually back when we played him the first time at our place.  He's very, very good, he's 6’7”, he's got a couple of division II offers.  Jack Steiner does a great job for them running the point.  He's very skilled as well and shoots a very high percentage,” he told Swanknsports.com on Tuesday night, “The first time around we jumped on them early and got up big in the first half and in the second half they did a great job taking away our transition we ended up pulling that one out by one point.  Nothing against Dalton, they're very good team, but I don't think we played very well.  So, hopefully this time around, it is a smaller floor down there in Dalton, but we're hoping that if we can speed them up for four quarters and put a little more points on the board.”

          West says making that tempo quick is going to be key for them along with containing Wenger.  “Number one, speed them up.  That's kind of been our M.O. the last two years, we like to play fast.  I think we have a lot more team speed than they do from top to bottom, so hopefully we can get them out transition and wear them out.  We're definitely going to have to contest everything that Braylon Wenger takes as far as shots.  He's very, very talented and I thought the first time around we did a great job contesting.  We put Justin Rupp on him and Justin is 6’2”, 6’3” and has a long wingspan as well.  So, we have got to contest him and make him take tough contested shots and then box out.  Once he takes those long shots we got to make sure we rebound them and hold them to one shot per possession,” said West.

Published 2/15/23

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Norwayne Can Earn a Share

          Norwayne can earn a share of the title in the Wayne County Athletic League with a win at home against Hillsdale on Friday night.

          Right now, they lead Smithville and Dalton by game with two to play.

          If they win Friday, they could close it out with a win over Dalton next week.

          Coach Brian West says much of their success this season can be traced to their senior leadership.  “We've had our two returning All-Ohio guards and Ethan Hann and Justin Rupp really step up for us early in the year.  We knew we lost a lot of key pieces from last year's regional team and we had some younger guys, some sophomore guys, that were starting to move into varsity time and weren't quite ready I don't think at the beginning of the year,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “So, I give all the credit to our two seniors that really kind of carried us early on until our younger guys got their feet wet and even some juniors that didn't have a whole lot of varsity time last year.  It takes those guys a while to get used to the speed and the pace and the strength of varsity basketball, so those senior guys did a great job really on leading and leading by example as well.”

          With all the success they have had, league titles have been hard to come by for the Bobcats.  West says they want this one.  “We have been fortunate enough to have won three straight district titles last three years, but we're 0-3 in those years with the league title.  So, we actually have not won a league title nine years and we've finished second quite a few times and it still makes some nice tournament runs.  I've always said as a coach, I'll take a district title over a league title any day, but it's always nice to have both.  For once we're actually not chasing anybody, we actually control our own destiny, so it's kind of nice to be in the driver's seat for once,” said West.

          Norwayne (16-3,11-1), #3 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, plays host to Hillsdale (7-10,4-8) on Friday night.  The Falcons are coming off a (69-44) win over Rittman on Tuesday night in a league game.

          West says they have improved and they are a physical team.  “Coach (Ryan) Moore has done a great job with those guys.  They've gotten a lot better I think, they've improved as the season has gone on.  They've got some size, their guards are very physical, and they picked up some big wins here in the last few weeks over some top teams in our league.  So, we're going to have to be ready to go and fortunate for us we're on our home floor.  We were able to get them earlier in the year on their floor.  It's always a tough place to play out there.  It's always nice when you're playing for a league championship to be able to try to do it on your home floor,” he said.

Published 2/10/23

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Norwayne Hosts Mooney

          Norwayne entertains Youngstown Cardinal Mooney on Friday night in a regional quarterfinal in division V.

          The Bobcats (8-3) took Harrison Central to the woodshed last week in winning (71-7) in a first found game.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they played very well and got a lot of people involved.  “I thought our kids came out and played well.  It was a whole team effort.  The whole team contributed.  Guys that didn’t normally touch the ball and score did so last week.  I thought they stepped up and rose to the occasion and did a great job.  There was a lot of effort and a lot of energy and excitement that was happening last Friday and it allowed us to continue to work the ball down the field and create turnovers for us.  It was a great job and tremendous team effort by everybody,” said Indorf.

          Mooney (5-6) upset fourth seeded Richmond Edison (45-14) last week.  Now, their record might not look that good, but a closer inspection shows nine games against bigger schools, plus a forfeit on their record.  Four losses are by a touchdown or less.

          Indorf says this a good team.  “When you look at the record, you have to look back at who they played and look at the scores and even some further research in looking at the box scores there and see what happened.  They are definitely a solid opponent coming into Norwayne on Friday.  We are going to have to prepare and play really well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “They are big up front and athletic skilled guys.  Guys that can stretch the field and guys that can run after the catch and continue to carry after contact even.  We definitely have to put our best football forward and continue to work together as a team and work for that higher goal of everybody pulling in that same direction.”

          Indorf says they will need to pay specific attention to the Mooney tight end, who can do a lot of damage.  “They are pretty balanced.  They do like to throw a fair share though.  We definitely have to be ready for that.  They have a 6’5” tight end/receiver that is about 200 pounds, so we definitely have to know where he is located and where he is on the field and where they can get him the ball when they try to,” he said.

Published 11/02/22

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Norwayne Hosts Harrison Central

          Norwayne opens the tournament season with a first round playoff game in division V on Friday night at home against Harrison Central.

          After losing to Wayne County Athletic League co-champ Dalton (41-16) on week nine, the Bobcats came out and smoked a pretty good Smithville team (38-0) last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says it was a good bounce back win.  “I thought we came out and played together and created some momentum and energy early on and that was a positive for us to bounce back from the previous week.  We look to continue to improve our effort and continue to improve our focus as we move forward here,” he said.

          Norwayne (7-3) hosts Harrison Central (6-4) on Friday night.  The Huskies outscored Buckeye Local (45-34) last week.

          Indorf says they are big and athletic.  “They are going to be big up front.  They have a nice big running back, a quarterback that is athletic and can sling the ball, so we will have to be on point defensively and making sure we are rallying to the ball and to the point of attack with the running back.  As far as our offense, we will see multiple fronts out of them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “Being able to identify the front, being able to understand the schematics there and firing off the ball and controlling the line of scrimmage and really get after it and take what the defense is giving us.”

          Pre snap reads are going to be big on Friday night for the Bobcats and Indorf says that is for all position groups.  “I think it is vitally important for our offensive linemen to just understand where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to do, but also the quarterback and the running backs can tell what is going on a little bit there and even the receivers a little bit about their coverages and how they are going to run their routes.  As far as our defense, just understanding what they are lining up in, what tendencies they have shown in that formation or that look and understand what we might get,” said Indorf.

Published 10/28/22

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Norwayne Must Play With Passion

          Norwayne attempts to bounce back this week as they host Smithville in a Wayne County Athletic League game on Friday night.

          The Bobcats were thrashed (41-16) by Dalton last week in league action.  They feel a game behind the Bulldogs and Northwestern for the league lead.

          Coach Adam Indorf says thy were beaten at the point of attack.  “In the second half they continued to run the ball on us and control the line of scrimmage.  Just little things here and there that we need to improve upon.  What we have preached all year is do your job,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “Out of gap here, eye discipline, not wrapping up and not controlling the line of scrimmage.  Those kinds of things snowballed on us in the second half.  We have to improve that this week.”

          Norwayne (6-3,4-2) hosts Smithville (6-3,3-3) on Friday night.  The Smithies destroyed Rittman (52-0) last week.

          Indorf says Smithville plays hard and will offer a big challenge.  “The Smithies are doing a great job of playing with passion, playing with fire.  They have a good run-pass mixture to try and keep you off balance with some “RPO” stuff.  On defense, we just have to be able to do our job, be gap sound, make sure we are doing everything we need to do to be successful and being aggressive at the point of attack,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne has already clinched a division V playoff berth.

          Indorf says they need to get back to play good football after last week.  “We are hoping to have a little rebound from last week and make sure we are doing our jobs and getting after the Smithville Smithies (Friday) night.  We need to bring some energy and some passion and play with some fire in the belly,” he said.

Published 10/21/22

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Point of Attack Huge For Norwayne

          Norwayne is at Dalton in a huge game in the Wayne County Athletic League on Friday.

          Both teams share first place in the league with Hillsdale and Northwestern, who also play each other on Friday night.  That’s right, a four way tie, that can be no less than a two way tie next week.

          Over the last seven years, the winner of this game, four those times that has been Norwayne, has won the league title.

          Norwayne coach Adam Indorf says this game always seems to be important.  “It seems like there is always something on the line toward the end of the season.  Coach (Broc) Dial does a great job getting those guys amped up and we seem to play pretty well also.  That’s the beauty of the Wayne County Athletic League that you have these games, and have these opportunities with things on the line.  You want to battle and have memorable games with these young men,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne (5-2,4-1) beat Chippewa (66-0) last week and Dalton (5-2,4-1), #4 in the Swankonspoorts.com football coaches poll in the small school division, hammered Rittman (55-14) last Friday.

          Indorf says they the Bulldogs are big up front and they have the kind of skilled kids that can take advantage of the holes that have been created.  “They are going to be big up front, but they still have some viable skill.  They have a couple of quarterbacks that they are rotating in an out in (Ethan) Stutz and (Colin) Pearson.  Pearson taking most of the time and Stutz coming in a few snaps here and there to run the ball.  Defensively, they are going to be athletic and they are going to fly to the football,” he said.

          Indorf says to win this one, they have to be the team that controls the line of scrimmage no matter if they are on offense or defense.  “The old adage to control the line of scrimmage.  Offensively, we have to do that and take what the defense is giving us and be patient in doing that and be consistent in doing that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “Defensively, control the line of scrimmage.  We are going to have to be aggressive to the point of attack and fly downhill to the football and rally.  The first guy is wrapping up and rally to the football with everybody else.  Be incredibly disciplined in the way that we do that.”

Published 10/12/22

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Norwayne Want to Get Better Every Day

          Norwayne finds itself in a four way tie for the lead in the Wayne County Athletic League as they are at home for Chippewa this week in league play.

          They share first with Dalton, Northwestern and Hillsdale.  They are also in fourth place in division V, region 17.

          The Bobcats whipped Waynedale (48-16) last week in league play.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they could have been better.  “I thought we came out in the first half and played pretty well, there were some minimal mistakes here and there and we want to clean those up.  The second half, I thought we had a little bit of a letdown.  We controlled the clock, but we didn’t put anything in the end zone then.  We gave up two touchdowns in the second half and I want to clean that up and try and improve upon that, especially when we rotate guys in that they are going to play just as well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday, “There are some mental lapses that we need to solve.  Our focus this week is to challenge all of our athletes to make sure they are focused every week on everything they do.  Work in every rep to make themselves better and make our potential better.”

          Norwayne (5-2,3-1) will entertain Chippewa (2-5,1-3) on Friday night.  The Chipps got their first league win on Friday night when thy downed Rittman (27-14) last week.

          Indorf knows Chippewa will play hard.  “The Battle of the Big Chief” they play that every year with a lot of passion and a lot of pride and this year was much the same.  They are going to come out and battle and fight.  We see that on film and the way they play,” he said.

          Indorf says to win a league title, they are going to have to kick it up even more in practice.  “We have to take care of what we can take of and control what we can control in the next few weeks to make sure that we are improving on any mental breakdown, any physical breakdown and that starts in practice every day and with film and our workouts and lifting and conditioning.  In practice, with every rep, everything counts and everything matters.  If we challenge all of our athletes to improve upon those day by day and rep by rep that is going to make us better down the stretch and put us in pretty good position,” said Indorf.

Published 10/04/22

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Norwayne Still Focusing on Getting Better

          Norwayne, a game back in the Wayne County Athletic league with a month left in the season, plays at Wyanedale against the Golden Bears in a league game on Friday night.

          Last week, they destroyed Rittman (69-7) in a league game.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they did a lot of good things, but by no means where they perfect.  “I thought our kids came out and played really fast and physical and put some points on the board for us.  We had an opportunity to play a lot of kids and see what they can do and get them some Friday night lights experience, which was a positive for us.  There are still some things we can clean up like mental mistakes, dropped balls or missed assignments and things like that we don’t really like,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Again, we have to get better and face those things.  We are going to have to polish up these mental mistakes.  We can’t have that, especially down the road here to the end of the season.”

          Indorf says something they do every week is try to get better at what do and this week is no exception.  “We preach a lot times to make sure we are giving 100 every play and every rep in practice.  We are encouraging everybody to do so, even when we are scrimmaging in practice.  The first teamers and the scout teamers are giving their very best so they can improve themselves and we improve as a whole team,” he said.

          Norwayne (4-2,2-1) is at Waynedale (2-4,1-2) on Friday night in “WCAL” play.  The Golden Bears were blanked (28-0) by Smithville in a league game last week.

          Indorf says Waynedale is young this season, but they still do things that pose a problem for them.  “They are a little younger as far as experience goes, but they are going to come out and be physical and athletic.  Offensively, they like to spread it out a little bit and do some different things that are going to keep us off balance.  We have to stay focused and read our keys and fly to ball defensively.  For our offense, we have to figure out what defense they are running and make sure we are on point as far as our blocking schematic’s go up front and then jut take what the defense is giving us.  Utilize our tools in our tool belt to the best of our ability, so that we can be successful,” said Indorf.

Published 9/29/22

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Norwayne Must Have Better Effort

          Norwayne is over at Rittman to tangle with the Indians in a Wayne County Athletic League game on Friday night.

          The Bobcats (3-2,1-1) now trail Northwestern and Dalton by a game in the league standings after dropping a (28-20) decision to the Huskies last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they just made too many mistakes to beat a good team.  “I think we came out and battled and fought.  Northwestern definitely brought some energy and got after us.  Then it felt like things that could go wrong, did go wrong at inopportune times.  We compiled 450 yards of offense and held them to 250, but just things that were mental lapses,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “We got a blocked field goal that they run back, a block PAT, a fumbled snap that they run back into the own end zone.  Just things like that that we have to shore up and get after it a little bit this week as far as the mental aspect and the effort aspect.”

          Indorf says this week in practice has been all about the Bobcats getting better at what they do.  “We are preaching more that we have to focus more on ourselves and better ourselves on a daily basis whether that is rep to rep or session to session, however it may be, we have to get better.  Just a focus on effort, the mental aspect, understanding where we are in the game and what we are doing in the game.  We have to be able to score and use those opportunities to our benefit,” said Indorf.

          Rittman (2-3,0-2) suffered a (38-7) setback to Waynedale in a league game last week.  They have lost three in row.

          Indorf says they need to have better effort than last week.  “They are going to come out and compete.  They are doing a lot of good things and getting after it.  So, we are going to have to make sure we are doing our job and making sure we are giving effort on every rep, react to our keys and do our thing,” he said.

Published 9/22/22

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Norwayne Must Control Northwestern

          Norwayne will be at home Friday night for the Northwestern Huskies in a game in the Wayne County Athletic League.

          Last week, the Bobcats overwhelmed Hillsdale (70-14) in a league game on Friday night.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they actually got off to slow start offensively, but made some big plays in other areas.  “We had a slow start and that is something we have to get fixed.  Once we got it going, we got some turnovers and created some momentum.  We got a pick 6, a punt return for a touchdown and a fumble picked up and returned for a touchdown.  So, some points scored in some different facets than just offense,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “What concerns me the most was the slow start and just keeping our guys focused during the week and come out with some energy and motivation.”

          Norwayne (3-1,1-0), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, entertains Northwestern (3-1,1-0), a (55-8) winner over Rittman in “WCAL” play last week.

          Indorf sys the Huskies like to throw it and they have the weapons to run that kind of offense.  “Offensively for the Huskies, things run through their quarterback Siders.  He is an athletic kid and someone we are going to have to keep an eye on, keep in front of us and make sure when we go to tackle him that we are rallying to him and the first guy gets a hold on and then get a bunch of hats to the ball.  He does have a lot of weapons on the perimeter.  Just statistically from our analysis they like to throw the ball.  Make sure we keep Siders in check and be physical up front and as always control the line of scrimmage,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne has been very versatile on offense this season and Indorf says they are going to have to be that on Friday night too.  “Defensively, they are a four front, 4-2 with cover three and some deeper coverages as well.  we are just going to have to feel it out for a little bit and just work on things that the defense is giving us.  Take what the defense is giving us,” he said.

Published 9/13/22

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Norwayne Wants to Win up Front

          Norwayne, again one of the contenders in the Wayne County Athletic League, begins league action on Friday night at Hillsdale against the Falcons.

          On week three, Norwayne put together a tremendous performance in holding Clyde to 213 total yards and beating the Fliers (23-13) on the road in a non-conference game.

          Coach Adam Indorf says it was good way to get back on the winning track after a (36-35) loss to Canton Central Catholic the week before.  “It was a bounce back for us and we put together a solid game.  I felt like we controlled the line of scrimmage.  We do some squib kicks and move things around on kickoffs.  We were fortunate enough to get one right out of the gate there and gain some momentum and didn’t look back continued to do work and make one of our best defensive performances of the year so far,” said Indorf.

          Indorf says the defense put them in position to win.  “From week one to week two we made some strides and made some gains there.  For sure from week two to week three made some further gains.  We are looking good, so hopefully we can continue.  I thought last week, defensively, we just did a great job of communicating and making sure we were in the proper defense we wanted and communicating when Clyde motioned or shifted and did a good job with that,” he said.

          Norwayne (2-1), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, travels to Hillsdale (1-2), a (14-0) loser to Loudonville last week.

          Indorf says they have some athletes.  “They are going to be well coached.  Offensively, Hoverstock is going to run the offense at QB.  He is an athletic kid that can hurt you with his arms or his legs.  They are going to be aggressive up front at the line of scrimmage,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Defensively, it is the same.  They have a lot of athletic guys on defense.  They are going to come downhill and hit you.  They are going to fly to the ball.  We are going to have to have a great effort and a great showing there.”

          To be successful, Indorf says they need to win at the point of attack and get their athletic Hillsdale kids to the ground.  “We have to control the line of scrimmage Friday evening.  Make sure we can do that on both sides of the ball.  Defense, making sure we are rallying to the ball.  Put a bunch of hats on the ball carrier to get them down.  Offensively, take what they are giving us,” he said.

Published 9/08/22

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Norwayne Locks Horns with Clyde

          Norwayne hits the road for Clyde on Friday night for a non-conference matchup between two of better football programs in this area.

          The Bobcats were nipped (36-35) in the end by Canton Central Catholic last week.

          However, coach Adam Indorf was really proud of their effort.  “It was definitely a heartbreaker there.  A back and forth game.  They are a great ballclub.  Jack Talkington, their quarterback, is a very good player and he put them on his back and got them the win.  Our guys fought incredibly hard and battled for the entire duration of four quarters.  Just some little execution things, but other than that I was very proud with how they fought.  Central has a good ball team,” he said.

          Yes, it was not a win, but Indorf says they did some things they can build on this week.  “You look at our quarterback and he did a great job of reading all of the read plays.  He tallied out 180 yards, so that was a positive.  We scored 35 points, although there is still stuff to improve on offensively.  Jay Hanzie had a nice game receiving.  Defensively, just the will of those guys to fight and battle.  It’s back to the board a little bit and figure out how to get better this week as we take that road trip to Clyde,” said Indorf.

          Clyde (2-0) beat Parma Heights Holy Name (22-18) on week two.

          Indorf says Clyde is a fundamental team and they do a lot of things well on both sides of the ball.  “Clyde is athletic and fast.  They do lose a few guys from last season.  Offensively, Clyde likes to run empty backfield and motion a lot of guys, that is their top formation anyhow.  They will either be in empty and motion out to something else or motion into empty, so we have to be prepared and be ready for those motions,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Defensively, the linemen do a good job using their hands, moving their feet.  It’s a game when we are going to have to be on point and our offensive linemen have to control the line of scrimmage and really get after it.”

Published 8/30/22

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Norwayne Can be Better

          Norwayne looked super in their opener and they get another test on Friday night as host Canton Central Catholic in a non-conference game.

          The Bobcats forced seven turnovers in blasting Ashland (61-28) last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they did a good job of forcing the issue.  “We came out of the gate and played really, really fast and electric if you will.  Those early turnovers definitely catalyzed the rest of the game.  That is not to take anything away from Ashland.  They did compile a lot yards on us and they made us earn the rest of the game.  They continued to fight.  Watching film Saturday morning there are definitely a lot of things we can fix and clean up.  We still have to focus and make ourselves better playing game speed in practice and doing our job,” said Indorf.

          When you win a game as easily as Norwayne did last week you cannot become satisfied and Indorf says there are a number of areas where that can improve.  “I think there is always room for improvement, always something we can tweak, always something we can be better at.  Going into week one, you have a couple of scrimmages, but really not a true four quarter game up to that point.  I can still see where there is room for a lot of growth and maturation from week one to week two.  Our focus this week is to make sure we are doing our job playing at game speed in practice and we have to make sure we are doing that,” he said.

          Canton Central Catholic lost (51-28) to Stark County power Massillon Perry last week.

          However, Indorf says they have some weapons.  “Offensively, Jack Talkington, the quarterback, looks like has gained a few solid pounds and been hitting the weight room.  As the quarterback everything runs through him.  He definitely throws the ball well.  They have some speed on the edge in receivers that can stretch field and make things happen,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “We need a solid performance up front in making sure we are getting some hits on the quarterback, being solid in the secondary and no mental lapses whatsoever.  Make sure that everything is going our way and continue to fight one play at a time.”

Published 8/23/22

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Line of Scrimmage Important for Norwayne

          Norwayne, the runner-up last season in the Wayne County Athletic League, plays at home on Friday night against Ashland, of the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

          Coach Adam Indorf thinks it was a pretty good season, especially for some of the Bobcats younger players.  “I thought we did a pretty good job of trying to get better every day and playing fast with tempo.  We are utilizing practice time as a place where we can get better, especially for our younger athletes,” he said.

          Indorf says they like to make their practice tempo as close as they can to what players will experience in games.  “Especially in the situation that we are currently in with some of our linemen lacking some game experience.  You are trying to get those guys to play at that speed and understand that speed so that so they can go out and perform optimally when you turn on the lights on Friday night,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne likes to play an aggressive schedule and it begins here with division II Ashland.

          Indorf says they want to pressure the Arrow quarterbacks.  “Offensively, they are going to be in empty three by one and two by two and they are going to try and stretch the field a lot.  It seems like they play two quarterbacks at times.  One that is a junior, but they both have good arms, but the junior seems to have a little more athleticism than the younger quarterback,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They really try and cause issues in the secondary.  Our hopes are we can get some pressure on them and make the quarterback move around and throw off balance or feel some pressure and throw bad balls.”

          On defense, Indorf says Ashland likes to pressure you and they and going to need to get solid play from their offensive line.  “Defensively, they are trying to cause chaos by moving guys around stunting and blitzing.  What we have to do to combat that is at the line scrimmage is we are going to have to come off the ball, be aggressive, sift through everything so we can articulate the ball down the field.  Hopefully, we are able to do that.  Those are our goals to be successful,” said Indorf.

Published 8/19/22

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Norwayne Building Toward Opener

          Norwayne, the runner up last year in the Wayne County Athletic League, is working to put together another strong team this season.

          Coach Adam Indorf says it has been a good summer so far for the Bobcats, but there is more work to do.  “I thought we had a solid summer.  It is always articulation through the summer as far as gaining weight, experience, gaining strength and conditioning as we move through that.  I think we did a fantastic job of that with the practices that we had.  The kids were getting after it and gaining knowledge with seven on sevens as well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “The first few days of camp the effort is there.  We are adding a bunch of stuff, but we are trying to bring along the mental aspect of it.  Some of that comes with the addition of some inexperienced players that just haven’t played at this level.  We are really trying to focus on getting them to think quickly, think at game speed, and get game reps.”

          Norwayne was (8-4) last season and this year Indorf says they will have some kids back from that team.  “I think when you proliferate the data you are going to have more experience and a little bit of age and veteran guys at the skilled positions.  Where we lack some experience, and will still have some, is on the offensive and defensive lines.  Overall, I think when the data is all run, you would say it is a more experienced team,” he said.

          For the Bobcats, they scrimmage CVCA next week in preparation for an opener against Ashland on August 19 at home.

          Indorf believes his kids are hungry.  "With the addition of more teams and another week in the playoffs cuts your camp short, which is where you gain some early on experience.  Still able to do some of that stuff in the summer, just not as much.  I am still a firm believer to give the kids some time off and let them have a little of a summer so they are hungry when it comes to the season so they don’t think like a job, it’s a 9-5.  It's enough of a grind to play this game and practice through the season.  So, give them a little time off and hopefully they are refreshed and ready to go,” said Indorf.

Published 8/04/22

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Norwayne Faces Lutheran East in the Regionals

          Norwayne plays Lutheran East for the second straight year in the regional tournament.

          This time they meet in a division III semifinal on Wednesday night at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse.

          Norwayne (24-2) has not lost since early January.

          Coach Brian West says they found their identity.  “We are on a 16 game winning streak.  We completely revamped our offense once Smithville beat us for our second loss of the season and started doing a little more five out motion and letting kids read and react a little more and kind of change things defensively and doing a little more run and jump and pressing and its worked for us,” said West.

          West says the Bobcats are athletic and they play with a lot of desire every night.  “They are all anywhere from 5’10” to 6’3” and they are all pretty quick and are athletic and they are long bodied kids and they are competitive.  You can say athletic all day long, but they also have a competitive heart and they like to get after it,” he said.

          Lutheran East (14-9), the defending state champion, beat Norwayne in the regional final last year, but West says both teams are dramatically different than they were last year.  “They have changed as much from last year as we have.  Both teams last year had quite a bit of size and liked to pound it inside as much as we could.  This year I think teams are similar again in that we are very guard heavy.  They do have a 6’8” inside that is going to pose some issues for us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “I think their four guards and the perimeter match up with their four guards petty well.  They like defend similar to us in that they run and jump in the half court and that little dribble drive like offense.  It should be a good matchup for us and a good test.”

          With Norwayne and Lutheran East both pressing a lot, West says this game is going to be all about turnovers and who can avoid them.  “When we were watching film on (Monday) I told the boys it really isn’t going to be the turnovers with our passing.  I think it is going to be their on ball pressure will be a little more than what we are used to and more intense.  So, as long as we can take care of the ball when they have that pressure on us and don’t panic.  I told the boys we can’t just put our head down a go off the dribble try and go one on five.  Once we get pressure, we have to be able to pass fake, step through and be strong, and make nice, crisp passes,” said West.

Published 3/08/22

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Norwayne With Springfield Again

          Last season, New Middletown Springfield ended Norwayne’s season on a last second play and the Bobcats hope that they can return the favor on Saturday night.

          The two teams play at Springfield in a division VI regional quarterfinal.

          The Bobcats (8-3) advanced last week with a (57-8) romp over Pymatuning Valley.

          Coach Adam Indorf says after giving up an early score they got into a grove.  “They did score early and the nucleus of our team responded taking it a play at time.  Then after that we just kind of took over.  I think both offensively and defensively we played well against a team that is a little unconventional offensively as far as lining up.  They line up in an unbalanced look at lot and try and get leverage by being unbalanced and bring the fullback around.  I think we battled that and did a good job an made some plays and made them pass the ball a little bit and then got some hits on the quarterback.  Offensively, just continued to control the line of scrimmage and take advantage of the situation and take advantage of plays that presented themselves,” he said.

          Last year, Springfield beat Norwayne (52-48) on a last second “Hail Mary” pass. 

          Indorf says the Tigers are very similar football team this year.  “We played them last year in the regional finals.  It was quite the shootout.  We went down early, but them continued to battle back and it ended up being a heck of a ballgame from a spectator standpoint and a heartbreaker form our standpoint.  They look very similar with (Beau) Brungard in the backfield again and some solid skill to surround him and a big offensive line,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “It is definitely an offense that has the ability to score some points and defense that for over a month has not been scored upon.  So, we definitely have our work cut out for us.  It is cliché, but it is going to be won at the line of scrimmage.  We are just going to have to play fundamental football and be physical up front.  Have our guys weather some storms and battle adversity and continue to fight.”

          The big play is often the key to high school football and Indorf says they can’t allow them this week.  “Especially with an athlete like Brungard in the backfield.  He has the ability to make a play like he is going to be tackled turn into a play that is 30 yards or a touchdown.  We definitely have to make sure we are rallying to the ball and playing fundamental football as far as run safe defense we need to be solid and play fast and physical football,” he said.

Published 11/05/21

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Norwayne Looking for Balance

          Norwayne plays at home Saturday night in a first round playoff game in division VI against Pymatuning Valley, which makes the trip from the far northeast corner of Ohio to Wayne County.

          The Bobcats (7-3) fell to Dalton (30-28) in the Wayne County Athletic League title game last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says a sluggish start to both halves cost them.  “I thought we came out of the gate a little slow and out of the gate at half a little slow.  Squandered away some possessions there where I thought we could have got another score had we not made a couple of mistakes.  You can’t do that against a quality opponent and you can’t do that against a team of Dalton’s caliper.  It was a well battled game.  I thought it was a good, clean physical contest and we just ended up short,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne has consistently been in the postseason and Indorf says that helps to build the program.  “Being in the playoffs gives you extra weeks of practice and gives our kids the reps.  That is something we are preaching right now to take advantage of this extra reps and that will pay dividends down the road in two or three years, especially for those young guys.  The games are Saturday, so it changes up your week a little but, I think we are ready for it.  Ready for the work week ahead and ready to get after it,” he said.

          Pymatuning Valley (6-3) has won four of its last six.  Indorf says they have to be fundamental to be successful against this team.  “They are big and physical and have athletes.  They are going to want to run multiple formations and try to gain some leverage and fire off the ball with off tackle stuff.  Defensively, they have big guys up front and athletic skilled guys behind.  I have said it before, we need to control the line of scrimmage,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday, “Offensively, make sure that up front we know our assignment and fire off and work the double teams, work the defensive linemen first and then up to linebacker.  I think we have the opportunity to try and be a little more balanced than we were last week and open up the pass game a little bit.  Then our defense just recognizing the formation and getting ourselves into our checks and playing fundamental football and really to the ball and make sure the first guy there is holding on and the second and third guys are able to bring the ball carrier down.”

Published 10/26/21

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Norwayne and Dalton in “WCAL” Title Game

          Norwayne and Dalton clash on Friday night at Norwayne in the Wayne County Athletic League championship game.

          Both teams are unbeaten in league play.

          Norwayne (7-2,6-0) blew out Chippewa (47-10) last week and Dalton blasted (47-14) in league games.

          Norwayne coach Adam Indorf says these are the kinds of games you want to play in.  “When you start the season and you sit down and try and figure out some goals.  Obviously, you want to win at home, that’s always a goal of ours, but you always want to win the league has well.  This is just another step in doing so.  This happens to be taking place week 10.  It’s two undefeated teams battling it out in Creston.  You try and sit back and tell the kids to take it in, but also not to let everything overwhelm them.  Just do their thing and make sure they are taking care of business on Friday,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne won the battle (21-7) last year.  Dalton won (29-14) in 2019.  Both resulting in undisputed league titles.

          Dalton (7-2,5-0), they had a league game against Chippewa cancelled this year due to COVID.  Their only losses come to a pair of unbeaten teams in Garaway and Ridgewood.

          Indorf says they are blessed with a lot of weapons.  “They are solid all over.  Athletes on the perimeter, athletes in the backfield and a solid offensive line.  Just a plethora of weapons at their disposal.  Defensively, very similar, athletes in the secondary and solid guys up front.  Definitely a bevy of tools for them to utilize on both sides of the ball.  It’s a challenge for us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “You would have to be under a rock to really not understand that this is looming ahead.  We are working through this week making sure we are making ourselves better.  Trying to be as fundamental as we can in our pursuit of the championship on Friday.”

          Indorf says they have keep Dalton from building offensive momentum and not be overcome by the moment.  “I think that is any team.  You have to come out and play fast and physical.  We always preach to our guys it is one play at a time and do your very best that play.  They for sure are going to make some plays.  We just have to make sure we are weathering storms and we are continuing to battle and eliminating mistakes and playing fundamental football for a duration of four quarters on Friday,” he said.

Published 10/21/21

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Norwayne with a Different Challenge Against Chippewa

          Norwayne, the co-leader in the Wayne County Athletic League, plays on the road at Chippewa on in a league game on Friday night.

          They outscored Waynedale (56-24) last week to maintain their share of first with Dalton, who they play next week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they won up front.  “I thought we played really well offensively and controlled the line of scrimmage.  We racked up some yards and had two 150-yard rushers.  That’s a good night,” he said.

          Indorf says the Bobcat line takes it personal and they want to pave the way for their backs.  “Controlling the line of scrimmage they take pride in that.  They really want to do that.  It was a good night for our offensive line.  Defensive line much of the same.  They were getting pressure sometimes, but Waynedale has a solid quarterback and solid receiver and they were able to pass a little bit on us and rack up 24 points,” said Indorf.

          Norwayne (6-2,5-0) plays over at Chippewa (4-3,2-2) on Friday night.  The Chips beat Rittman (34-0) in league play last week.  Quarterback Christian Moyer had 230 yards rushing and two TD’s.

          Indorf says Chippewa has some good athletes and they go about things a little differently than a lot of teams.  “They are an athletic team.  They have a solid quarterback in Christian Moyer.  They do some things schematically that are a little abnormal.  They overload one side, they put two receivers on the ball out wide.  They will get in an unbalanced formation and things like that.  Those are things we just have to be aware of and picking that up and addressing that with everybody defensively,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “They have a 3-4 kind of look and that changes our blocking schematically a little bit.  We have to be solid all week in understanding where we need to be and how we are blocking those things.  Just communication this week and working on improving ourselves again.”

Published 10/12/21

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Norwayne Must Control Waynedale QB

          Norwayne, the co-leader of the Wayne County Athletic League, plays host to Waynedale, a game back in the standings, on Friday night in a league game.

          The Bobcats (5-2,4-0) share first place with Dalton.

          They hammered Rittman (56-7) last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they went out and executed the way they needed to.  “The varsity came in and did their job and performed as we expected.  A couple little blunders here and there, but not anything earth shattering, so definitely performed well.  We got some experience for young guys last week.  Now, it’s time to move forward and see how we can improve our potential this week,” he said.

          Waynedale (4-3,3-1) dominated Smithville to the tune of (48-8) in a league game last Friday.

          Indorf says they have impact players.  “They definitely have a solid quarterback and solid receivers and athletes.  If you are not playing fundamental defense, they can move the ball on you and score.  Defensively, those guys swarm to the ball and defensive linemen are getting off of the ball,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday, “We have been challenging our young men to get better and to make sure that every rep that they take in practice every day they are improving themselves and making sure they are better at the end of every day than they were at the beginning.”

          Waynedale quarterback Peyton Lemon accounted for five scores last week against Smithville.

          Indorf says they are going to have to know where he is at all times.  “He is their guy.  He is their catalysis and their impetus all in one and is really a great athlete.  He definitely has our eye and our attention,” he said.

Published 10/06/21

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Norwayne Focuses on Improvement

          Norwayne, who shares first place in the Wayne County Athletic League, entertains the Rittman Indians in a league game on Friday night.

          Both the Bobcats and Dalton are unbeaten in league games.

          Despite a slow start, Norwayne beat Northwestern (34-19) in “WCAL” action last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they adjusted as they got deeper into the game.  “I thought we came out flat and didn’t play really well right out of the gate the first half.  Kudos to Northwestern for keeping us off balance a little bit with the defensive adjustments they made,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday, “The kids responded and calmed down and came out after half and took it a play at a time and understood they needed to give their very best and 100 percent every play and it’s one play at a time.  We started grinding on them and were successful in the end.”

          Norwayne (4-2,3-0) is at home for Rittman (2-3,0-2) on Friday night.  The Indians lost (40-7) to Waynedale last week.

          Indorf says they have make sure they get better.  “Rittman is a hard nosed team.  They are going to come out and hit you.  Really this week what we did was really try and refocus on ourselves.  Focus on making sure we are doing our very best.  Each individual is doing their best each and every play to take advantage and make themselves better and increase their potential and as a whole increase the potential of the team,” he said.

          Indorf adds their goal every week is to improve as individuals and as a team and this week is on different.  “As we continue to work and strive to really make sure we are hitting our stride and increasing our potential each and every week.  It takes each individual eliminating perfunctory performances through the week is key an really making sure that matriculation towards that potential is steady and increasing day to day, rep to rep and week to week,” said Indorf.

Published 10/01/21

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Norwanye Must be More Efficient

          Norwayne, in first place in the Wayne County Athletic League, plays on the road at Northwestern on Friday night.

          They beat up a pretty good Hillsdale team (42-7) last week in “WCAL” action.

          Coach Adam Inform says their defense was tremendous.  “We are realty pleased with the way they performed.  We eliminated a lot of mental mistakes and really did well offensively other than a lost fumble and an interception, which we would like to clean up.  Defensively, we played a heck of a ballgame against a tough Hillsdale opponent,” said Indorf.

          The Bobcats gave up some points to some really good non-conference opponents, but in league play they have only allowed three scores in two games so far.

          Indorf says they are maturing on that side of the ball.  “Absolutely, our young guys are getting some experience and learning how to ready and react.  Really trying to be more aggressive defensively.  They are doing a good job of coming on here as of late,” he said.

          Norwayne (3-2,2-0) plays at Northwestern (1-4,0-1) on Friday.  Northwestern ripped Rayland Buckeye (49-6) last week in non-conference play after their game with Rittman had been cancelled, it was their first win.

          Indorf says they can do some with the athletes that they have.  “They are an athletic team.  They really like to get the edges, pass the ball, and use their athleticism offensively.  For us defensively just be fundamental and sound and disciplined in everything we do is going to be key,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday, “For us offensively, just take what the offense is giving us, establish the line of scrimmage again, and continue to work on eliminating mental mistakes, eliminating turnovers, as we go into Friday’s game.”

Published 9/22/21

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Norwayne Wants to Control the Point of Attack

          Norwayne, the defending champion in the Wayne County Athletic League, plays host to Hillsdale in a big conference game on Friday night.

          The Bobcats (2-2,1-0) smacked around the Smithville (46-13) last week with Jake Gill running for 128 yards and two scores.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they played well when they had the ball.  “I thought our offense played pretty well.  We could drive the ball and only stopped ourselves when we made mistakes, either mental or physical.  Defensively, we need to sure up a little bit with our linebackers, just reading keys and coming downhill little better, cleaning up blocks up front, just doing a little better with the effort there,” he said.

          Hillsdale (2-2,1-0) destroyed Rittman (52-13) running for 354 yards against the Indians.

          Indorf says the run game on both sides is going to be the difference.  “Hillsdale is always going to be well coached.  Offensively, they have some athletes and run a little misdirection and try to keep you honest with a little bit of pass, but typically are going to run the ball, run some options, so we are going to have to be sound and fundamental in our reads and keys and make sure we are doing our very best on the defensive side of the ball,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday, “Offensively, they are moving going a little bit here and there and blitzing a little bit trying to keep you guessing.  We are going to have to make sure we identify the front and make sure we know our blocking assignments and as I have said before, control the line of scrimmage.”

          When the Falcons blitz, Norwayne says they have to be very solid on their keys when it comes to blocking.  “It is all about just reading keys and understanding how they are blitzing.  Understanding that if you are a gap sound defense, you are going to want to fill up all of those gaps.  If one guys moves from a gap, you are going to have another guy appear and be patient.  Making sure you working the defensive linemen up to the linebackers.  A lot of times on combo blocks you are blocking a down lineman with your hands, but your eyes are on the linebackers and you can read that to make sure he is where he is supposed to be or you can move to take care of him,” said Indorf.

Published 9/15/21

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Norwayne Ready for League Play

          Norwayne won the Wayne County Athletic League title last season and advanced to the division VI regional final.

          They begin defense of that league title on Friday night with visit to Smithville to play the Smithies.

          They lost (29-10) to Clyde, out of the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference, last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they made some critical mistakes at the wrong time.  “I thought we fought and we battled through the entire duration of the contest.  We just made too many mistakes.  Not to take any credit away from Clyde, they were a very good team and played pretty well and minimized their mistakes.  Their defense line definitely exposed some of our inexperience.  So, going forward we have to continue to clean up mental mistakes, just mistakes that end drives,” he told Swankonsports.com on Labor Day, “We were in the red zone a couple of times and one time came away with three and another time we didn’t come away with any.  So, those definitely kill you.  We just have to work harder this week.  It’s a little reprieve from some division III and division IV teams and we get to go into the league.”

          Norwayne (1-2) has played the toughest division VI schedule in this area this year.  They also lost to Hubbard (48-28) on week one and beat Canton Central Catholic (57-35) on week two.

          Indorf knows they have been tested.  “Definitely have faced adversity, definitely have faces a bunch of quality players and solid teams.  So, there is no shortage of experience that we have had in the first three games.  So, hopefully that pays dividends here as we head into the league,” said Indorf.

          Smithville (1-2) is coming off a (21-14) loss to Ontario last week.

          Indorf says the Smithies, who are the one league school they didn’t play last season in the year of COVID, is going to be a physical run team with the wing-T.  “Smithville is going to be tough.  They have a good quarterback, a big offensive line, and they are going to run a lot of misdirection with the wing-T.  We just have to read our keys, play downhill, play aggressive football,” he said.

Published 9/07/21

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Norwayne Locks Horns with Clyde

          In an outstanding matchup on Friday night, Norwayne, of the Wayne County Athletic League, entertains Clyde, of the Sandusky Bay Conference, in non-conference high school football.

          Last week, the Bobcats (1-1) outscored Canton Central Catholic (57-35) to pick up their first win of the season.

          It was a step in the right direction, but coach Adam Indorf says they aren’t there yet.  “Believe it or not I don’t think we are playing our best football just yet.  Still some things to clean up.  A lot of mistakes that we made and penalties committed, so we have to clean those up and play more of a complete game.  Friday was no slouch and then we have Clyde coming to us and they are going to be a solid team.  We really need to play just our best football game,” said Indorf.

          Clyde (1-1) drilled Ashland (34-0) last week, scoring 27 points in the first quarter and allowing only 68 total yards for the game.

          Indorf sys they are very good on both sides of the ball.  “They for sure are an explosive team.  They have a great quarterback and he has a great arm, athletes on the perimeter, an offensive line that is willing to do the dirty work to make sure that the quarterback stays clean and create holes for their running back.  We definitely have our challenge cut out for us defensively to stop them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday, “As far as us offensively their defense has a lot of athletes that come downhill really hard and do a lot of things up front to try and keep you off balance.  For sure we have to be able to communicate on both sides of the ball and make sure we know what we are doing, what we are in, and play really good football.”

          Indorf says the point of attack will determine who will win this game on Friday.  “That’s the old cliché you have to control the line of scrimmage.  There is no exception in this ball game.  It’s going to be won in the trenches,” he said.

Published 9/01/21

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Containment Big for Norwayne

          Norwayne has another tough assignment this week as they travel to Canton Central Catholic to meet the Crusaders in a non-conference game.

          With Clyde looming next week, Norwayne clearly plays the toughest non-conference schedule for a division VI school we cover.

          They were beaten (48-28) by division III Hubbard last week in their first game of the season.

          This week, coach Adam Indorf says they have been doing the things they need to do to get better.  “Practice has been going well.  Our kids have been responding well.  They understand the position they’re in and that that they have another opportunity this week to get a win.  They also understand that we played a very good Hubbard team, faced a very good running back, and a big offensive line.  They are hungry for that win.  They are putting in the work in this hot, humid week.  They have been getting after it in the weight room, conditioning, and on the field,” said Indorf.

          Central Catholic beat division II Massillon Perry (28-26) in overtime in their opener last week.

          Quarterback Jack Talkington was the difference maker for the Crusaders last week and Indorf says he is the focal point.  “They come in with a solid quarterback in Talkington.  He is kind of their catalyst, their impetuous to run their offense and everything runs through him.  He starts it and keeps everything going whether it is passing or his legs,” he said.

          Indorf says they have to get some hits on Talkington and make him rush his throws if they expect to contain him at all.  “Everybody has to be on the same page as far as communication and the calls.  It would be nice if early on we had a few hits on him, a few shots on him, make him feel uncomfortable, make him feel like that pocket is closing in on him,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday, “Then if he is going to run the ball make sure we are squaring him up and driving through those tackles and rallying to ball and hopefully wearing him down a little bit.”

Published 8/27/21

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Norwayne Travels to Hubbard

          Norwayne, the defending Wayne County Athletic League champion, plays its first game this season on the road Friday night at Hubbard.

          They also play Canton Central Catholic and Clyde in a very challenging non-conference schedule.

          Coach Adam Indorf says he has been happy with the progression he has seen from the players leading up to game week.  “It was short, so I don’t think you are seeing the improvement that you have in the past, but definitely have seen improvement and definitely been pleased with the way our guys have handled camp and pleased with the way the guys have handled interscholastic competitions.  It is definitely going to be a measuring stick this week, definitely going have some room for improvement, so attention to detail, max effort through the week are paramount,” said Indorf.

          When it comes to Hubbard, Indorf says they are big, physical football team.  He says they have to be gap sound and pursue well on defense.  “They have a large offensive line.  The have a 6’5”, 305, a 6’3”, 300, there is another 290, 250, so definitely large up front, so the definitely have the advantage in controlling the line of scrimmage.  They have a 5’11”, 210 pound back that runs a 10.9 100.  So, we definitely have our challenges ahead of us on defense and we have to be solid there,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday, “We have to be gap sound and fly to the ball.  For our offense, just take what they are going to give us in the pass game or the run game and be consistent there.  Make sure we are putting long drive together to matriculate the field and take the opportunity to keep the defense off the field for a little bit.”

          Hubbard is a division III school, three divisions bigger than the Bobcats.  Norwayne advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs last season and Indorf says they seek tough competition.  “You definitely want to play some competition and challenge yourself and really see where you are at,” he said.

Published 8/18/21

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Norwayne With Big Challenges

          Norwayne, who lost in the regional final last year, plays one of the toughest non-conference schedules for a small school in Ohio this year, and they are working hard to be ready for the season that starts next week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says with the OHSAA changes it has been a different preseason, but he thinks things are going well.  “Over the summer we tried to keep it the same.  We would workout and condition four days a week, but only have a practice one or two days a week, which is kind of very similar to what we have been doing.  It’s because in a small school you have kids that are doing a lot of other activities with basketball and baseball and stuff like that, so you want to let them do those and family vacations and things like that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday, “As far as coming into camp and two a days it was strange just trying to think about where you need to be at one point and time.  Our first interscholastic competition you are talking about it and it just doesn’t look the same.  I thought we did well, but you usually have about five more days before that transpires.  So, just a little different, but we are dealing with it and the kids are working hard.  They are getting after it, not really enjoying the heat, but doing well with everything.”

          Norwayne is the defending Wayne County Athletic League champ and they start this season with a tough non-conference schedule.

          There is some talent to replace, but Indorf says they are working hard to get to the level they expect.  “What I like is they came every day and grind and get after it.  We are still looking for some leaders on the field and try and culture that and bring them along.  We have some knew kids and have some talent.  Definitely need to gain some experience quick going into some non-league games.  Right out of the gate we have three tough ones in Hubbard, Canton Central Catholic and Clyde.  Looking good so far, these guys never seem to back down from a challenge and work on themselves and just make sure they are doing their very best for the team,” said Indorf.

          Indorf says they want to get better this week in a scrimmage against CVCA and then be in form to start the season.  “We have a scrimmage (Friday) night and that’s going to be a good measuring stick and just kind of be honest with the kids and tell them where they are and where they need to be.  With Hubbard right out of the game that posses a big challenge for us,” he said.

Published 8/13/21

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Norwayne Going to be True to Themselves

          Norwayne plays Lutheran East in a division III regional final on Saturday evening at Twinsburg High School.

          The winner advances to next week’s state tournament in Dayton.

          The Bobcats (23-4) beat New Middletown Springfield (55-49) in a semifinal on Tuesday night.

          Coach Brian West says with the experience they returned, they knew this could be another solid year for them.  “We had a lot of key returners from last year’s district championship team.  So, with those kids we kind of knew going in what it was going to take to get where we are today.  With all of those kids coming back we have had some really good leadership from upperclassmen.  They have had the target on their backs from day one and they have accepted that challenge and come to work everyday to get back to where we are today and luckily we got here,” he said.

          West says they have some big guys in the post and their philosophy is to go inside, out and get some good looks on offense.  “We start 6’6” Joey Raudebaugh, who is a four year starter for us in the post.  Jacob Rupp is 6’3”, big, strong kid with a really high vertical.  He was first team all conference and first team all district.  We bring a 6’4” Noah Saal off the bench, who can actually play the wing or the post for us.  For the Wayne County League, we are blessed with some size and we try and take advantage of that as much as we can and let our guards play off of them,” said West.

          Lutheran East (13-3) beat Youngstown Mooney (74-31) in their regional semi. 

          West says they are big and they are athletic.  “They are really athletic.  They obviously have some size.  They are 6’8”, 6’5”, 6’3”.  They are probably going to show us some speed that we have not seen all year in the Wayne County League.  They are going to be up full court in our face and hopefully we are going to be able to handle that pressure.  They do shoot it well from the outside,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday, “So, defensively, they are going to be a tough guard for us.  We are going to have to take care of the ball and play at our pace because if we get into their style and their pace we are going to be in for a long night.”

          When to comes to strategy, West they are going to do what they have been doing all season.  “We are going to do what we do.  We are not going to go away from what has got us here.  It has been our staple all year long to work inside, out.  If the shot is there, we are going to take it.  We are not going to try and slow it down, we are not going to try and speed it up, we are going to try and do what we do.  We are going to tell the kids in practice leading up to the game if the shot is open, we have to take it and we have to shoot it with confidence,” said West.

Published 3/12/21

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It’s Another Unbeaten Team For Norwayne

          Norwayne travels to New Middletown Springfield for a division VI regional final on Saturday night.

          Last week, the Bobcats (9-0) beat Wickliffe (20-13) in a semifinal game that was played at Euclid High School.

          Coach Adam Indorf says their defense played very well against a tough Wickliffe running game.  “We gave up some long plays here and there, but they really had to work.  I am proud of the way our guys continued to battle and played with effort and passion defensively to get that stop.  Holding a solid team to two scores is a feat in itself, so we are really proud of them,” he said.

          The spotlight becomes more intense every time you advance in the playoffs.  Indorf says they have to make this week be as normal as possible when it comes to preparation.  “Just making sure we are paying attention to detail and fixing those little tiny things and having great mental focus there and treating as if it were a game in the sense of in and out of the huddle with the same efficiency and effort that you would on Saturday night,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Along the with your film study and looking at the scouting report and staying on top of that stuff.  We want to have a business like approach though the week and make sure that we are doing our very best to prepare ourselves for Saturday evening.”

          New Middletown Springfield (9-0) was the state runner up last season and they have enjoyed a dominating season this year.  They beat Mogadore (21-0) last week in a regional semi.  They have given up more one score only twice this season.  Last week was the first time they had scored less than 35 points.

          Indorf says they are led by a very talented quarterback in junior Beau Brungard.  “They do a lot of things well.  They are in and out of a variety of formations.  They have good skilled players, but the straw that stirs the drink really in Brungard at quarterback.  He can throw, he can run, he is a coach’s son, which helps out in his mental approach to the game.  They are a well coached team, a disciplined team, and they play with passion and have that competitive fire within them and you can see it on the field,” he said.

          The Norwayne coach says they have to trust their keys in this game, so they don’t get out of position on defense.  “They are in a lot of formations and run a lot of the same plays, so it is difficult to get some of the toe tails.  There definitely are a few.  We really try and simplify our defense and make sure their eyes are on keys and they are doing their very best to read their keys and get to the ball and play fast.  In high school we don’t have two hours a day to do a mental approach, so little things, focus on that and play fast a play football,” said Indorf.

Published 11/03/20

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Two Unbeaten Teams in Norwayne and Wickliffe

          It is a battle of unbeaten teams on Saturday night, as Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League leader, travels to up to the lake to face Wickliffe in a division VI regional semifinal.

          Last week, Norwayne got off to a quick start and went on to pound Canton Central Catholic (51-22) in a quarterfinal game.

          They recovered an onside kick on the opening kick and coach Adam Indorf says they got them pumped up right away.  “We came out of the gate and were fortunate enough to jump on a ball on the opening kickoff and go down and score and start a catalyst for a lot of energy for our team and we didn’t look back.  Our first play from scrimmage on defense we get a fumble and get the ball again and just added to that energy,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday, “It was a solid game against a solid team, very athletic team.  So, I was very proud of our kids and the way they played with passion and energy through that game.  We are working this week to try and improve upon that.  It is definitely a different week, a little cooler, a little wetter, and we have to deal with it, but we are getting after it on the practice field.”

          Norwayne (8-0) is a Wickliffe (8-0) on Saturday night.  The Blue Devils edged Labrae (21-16) in a quarterfinal game last Saturday.  That was the first time they have scored less than 40 points in a game.

          Indorf says Wickliffe is sort of an old fashion kind of team.  “They have a solid running back, a viable quarterback that can run.  They just love to run the ball, not passing a whole lot.  They are one of those teams that will pass potentially a time or a two a game and running the rest of the time downhill on you and a line that fires off and tries to control the line of scrimmage,” he said.

          With the way Wickliffe wants to run the ball, Indorf says they know the point of attack will be crucial.  “To be successful this weekend we have to compete up front.  Being home the last couple of weeks on turf, we are going to go up there and be on natural grass.  It looks like a little bit of precipitation as we move through the end of this week, so we are expecting a little bit of a wetter service.  It should be a little old school slugfest.  Just go up there and compete,” said Indorf.

Published 10/29/20

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Norwayne Faces Canton CC in Playoffs

          Unbeaten Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League leader, plays host to Canton Central Catholic on Saturday night in a division VI regional quarterfinal.

          These two squads scrimmaged the week before the regular season started in August.

          Last week, the Bobcats (7-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, walloped in Mineral Ridge (55-14) in their playoff opener in a second round game.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they had some rust early on offense after a bye week, but they were able to get it going.  “In the first half we had a problem with just some miscues with penalties and dropped balls, but we responded to those and really played well.  The defense seems to be playing really well and physical right now and creating some turnovers for us throughout the game.  That was a positive win heading into week three of the playoffs,” said Indorf.

          Canton Central Catholic (3-5) won on the road last week (24-14) over Hanoverton United in a second round game.

          Indorf says they must have great pursuit against the Crusader offense.  “They bring in a lot of athletes in the skilled positions and some tenacious linemen.  They have a quarterback that is a viable runner.  We have to make sure we put a hat on him to bring him down when he is scrambling and when they utilize him in the run game.  Make sure we are communicating and being solid in our coverages and really making sure we are rallying to the ball defensively,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Offensively, I think we can run downhill and really fire off the ball and continue to allow that old adage to work for us on control the line of scrimmage and spread the ball around and try to be balanced not only run pass wise, but be balanced with all our weapons we utilize on offense.”

          Canton CC has played a big time schedule with a division I, two division II teams and two division III programs on their regular season schedule.  They did not play a division VI school until the final game before the playoffs when they lost (26-10) to Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas.

          Indorf says they are well tested.  “They have been through the grinder and it definitely shows from when we scrimmaged them in the beginning.  They have really come through the year and gained a lot of valuable experience.  So, you can see them really cranking it out and doing a fantastic job.  Those guys are playing really well right now,” he said.

Published 10/22/20

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Unbeaten Norwayne Starts Playoffs With Mineral Ridge

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League leader, opens up the non-postseason playoff potion of their schedule, at home on Saturday night against Mineral Ridge in a second round game in division VI.

          Like many teams in Ohio, the Bobcats earned a first round bye and did not play a game last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they did scrimmage and also took some time to mentally recharge the batteries a little bit.  “I thought it was good.  We tried to utilize it in a productive manner.  We got a scrimmage in so we got some our young guys, or key backups, a lot of reps in that scrimmage, live action, and keep everybody sharpened up a bit without having a full game and risking injury.  I thought it was good.  We also got some time off on the weekend to get a little mental recharge going into this week as we head into the playoffs, especially playing on Saturday you have a little bit longer week to get that mental recharge and move forward here,” said Indorf.

          Mineral Ridge (4-3) beat Wellington (40-8) in a first round game last Saturday.  The Rams have won their last three games.

          Indorf says they are fast on both sides of the ball.  He says they have to control the line of scrimmage.  “They have a lot of skilled guys, a lot of athletes.  Shakir Perkins runs really hard, really athletic kid, out of the backfield.  Mark Bunch throws a nice ball, he’s a lefty, so that is a little different for us at quarterback.  He has some good targets on the edge that are athletic and can run,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “Defensively, they are going to move and stunt up front. Those athletes definitely come downhill.  The old adage we have to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball focusing on coming out quick with a lot of energy and try and take it to them and be physical with them.  Hopefully, that’s our ticket to the ballgame.”

          With a team that stunts a lot of the line of scrimmage, Indorf says they have to have a lot of communication and they have to play hard.  “Those linemen need to know exactly what’s going on.  Trust their steps, trust their footwork.  If all else fails, you just need to get at them and run downhill on them,” he said.

Published 10/16/20

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Norwayne With Chance at Title

          Norwayne warps up no less than a share of the Wayne County Athletic League football title this year with a win at home Friday night against the second place Dalton Bulldogs.

          Dalton and Northwestern both trail the Bobcats by a game.  Norwayne has already beaten Northwestern this season (50-7) on week two.

          The Bobcats (5-0,5-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, has averaged 50 points a game this season and given up less than a TD per game, they walloped Chippewa (62-7) last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they have been very good on both sides of the ball.  “I’m really excited about how well we are playing.  We are playing with passion and energy.  Defensively, we are playing really fast and physical.  Offensively, we are playing fast and have the ability to use a multitude of young men and be proficient and efficient on offense.  We are looking good, but we still have a lot of work to do.  We still have a lot ahead of us.  We can’t rest on our laurels and still have to move forward,” said Indorf.

          Dalton (4-1,4-1) won their first three games rather easily and then lost to Northwestern (7-6) on week four.  They had to rally to Rittman to beat winless Rittman (28-13) last week.

          Indorf expects them to be heathy and offer up a tremendous challenge.  “They are a really good team.  I know they had a couple of guys out the past couple of weeks.  Those guys are back this week.  Definitely when they have everybody and they are clicking on all cylinders they can definitely be dangerous.  We have talked about potential challenges,” he told Swanknsports.com on Tuesday, “We have talked about the ability to face adversity and how we are going to work through that.  Just take every rep we have in practice to do our very best and move forward and make sure we are taking care of ourselves again this week.”

          With what is riding on this game it would be an exciting atmosphere at Norwayne, but Indorf says that has been tempered a little bit because this is the year 2020.  “It’s unfortunate in 2020 that there is not going to be a packed house.  It’s a different atmosphere and just a little bit of excitement when you know there is just a little bit more at stake an just a little more energy in the stadium that always helps out.  That’s a great thing to have as a player,” he said.

Published 9/30/20

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Co-Leader Norwayne Plays Waynedale

          Norwayne shares first place with Dalton in the Wayne County Athletic League and travel to Waynedale to take on the Golden Bears in a league game on Friday night.

          The Bobcats (3-0,3-0) have averaged over 50 points a game over the first three.  The beat Rittman (47-0) last week in a league game.

                Coach Adam Indorf says they got off to a good start in the game and put some good things together on both sides of the ball last week. “We had a good first quarter.  I thought we have a few mental mistakes and a little bit of a lull in the second quarter, but then put a solid third quarter together and obviously came out of there with a win.  The defense played well and held them to zero.  The defense I think is coming along with energy and passion and they are flying to the ball.  We have a lot of hats at the point of attack, which is a positive,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Offensively, we continue to spread the ball out and have a lot of people that are making efficient productivity.  One standout form last week was Heyden Tanner, a very explosive athlete.  He has 100 plus yards on the night and two touchdowns.”

          Waynedale (1-2,1-2) lost last week to Smithville (35-7) in a “WCAL” game.

          Indorf says the Golden Bears want to run the football.  “Defensively from the Bears, they are going to be in a three front, move and stunt on us, try to keep us guessing a little bit.  Offensively, the spread power formation.  They really want to have their quarterback and their running back carry most of the load, but they keep people honest with the pass.  They definitely have an athletic backfield.  We are going to have to have an outstanding effort with our defense,” said Indorf.

          Indorf says Waynedale wants to spread you out and get the kind of matchups they want out of the spread, so they can run the ball.  “The spread is just a formation to manipulate the defense and put defenders in situations where their out of the box rather than in the box, trying to really control those numbers from tackle to tackle and get a favorable number for your offense,” he said.

Published 9/17/20

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