NORWICH

NORWICH – The names and the faces change, but the goals never do for the Norwich football team.

In his two years at the helm as head coach, John Martinson has guided the Purple Tornado to a pair of playoff appearances. In 2009 he won a division title, and last year, a runner-up divisional finish was good enough to earn a wild-card bid. Through two campaigns, Martinson sports an even .500 record (9-9), but he is less concerned with overall wins and losses versus the wins and losses against divisional opponents. In Martinson’s tenure, Norwich is an impressive 7-1 against division rivals, and that kind of success will always help a team reach its goals.

“We’d love to win every game we play, but our goal is one step at a time, and our focus is always on winning the division,” Martinson said.

Martinson cringes at the term “rebuilding,” but when you lose 20 seniors to graduation and return just two offensive starters, there is indeed a lot of new faces taking on key roles in an offensive system that relies heavily on intelligent linemen making the right line calls, excellent timing, and well-executed faking from all of the skill position players.

Fortunately, Martinson has added a wealth of experience to his coaching corps. Former varsity head coaches, Art Rigas and Mike Chrystie, have joined the Tornado staff. Too, former Norwich player Zach Stratton is assisting veteran line coach Tom Stoddard.