Senior starting quarterback Gabe Kopriva warms up his arm ahead of North Tama’s win earlier this season against Belle Plaine. Kopriva set the school record for most passing yards in a single game during this past Friday’s match-up with AGWSR — a remarkable 368 yards — propelling the team to its first win ever against the Cougars. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

North Tama quarterback Gabe Kopriva is back at it again.

After capturing three school records last season, the senior standout took down another accolade as the Redhawks trounced Ackley-Geneva-Wellsburg-Steamboat Rock Community School District (AGWSR) Friday night at Dennis Field 44-7 in their first ever win against the Cougars.

The Redhawks are now 2-0 for the season.

Although two of North Tama’s touchdowns came on the ground against AGWSR, it was the passing game that put it all together.

Last season, Kopriva tied North Tama’s school record for most points in a game (34) and most touchdowns in a game (5) during the Friday, October 16, 2020 game against Maquoketa Valley in the postseason.

Kopriva.

Kopriva also set the North Tama school record for most passes attempted in a game (50) against Grundy Center on Friday, October 2, 2020.

This past Friday Kopriva made history yet again, setting the school record for most passing yards in a single game with a whopping 368 yards — a full 20 yards more than the previous record set in 2010 by Brendon Boerm.

Kopriva’s passing completion rate during Friday’s win against AGWSR was also astounding at more than 71 percent.

“Congrats to [Gabe Koprive] for setting the passing record for a single game,” Redhawks Head Coach Taylor Wurth tweeted Friday night following the game. “Although it couldn’t have been done without the big boys and our skills making some great plays. We can ALL take ownership of history being made.”

On offense Friday night, Kopriva also led the team’s rushing game with 52 yards and one touchdown, while senior Aiden Zook recorded 24 yards and one touchdown.

Kopriva connected with six different players throughout the course of the game including seniors Devin McKinley, Adam Greiner, Aiden Zook, Austin Unker, and Michael Bell, as well as junior Michael Schrier.

Kopriva made contact with McKinley eight times for a total of 104 yards and with Schrier five times for a total of 124 yards and two touchdowns.

Tight end Greiner and wide receiver Unker also each ran in one touchdown apiece.

Seniors Logan Rausch and Aiden Zook led the Redhawks’ defensive game with 6.5 tackles each, followed by sophomore defensive tackle Ryan Hosek with five solos.

“Our guys EARNED everything they got,” Coach Wurth further tweeted. “Enjoy the [win] and keep sharpening those swords fellas. I’m proud of you.”

North Tama is on the road this week September 10 against the Hudson Pirates. The Pirates are currently 1-1.

The two teams last played each other in 2019 with the Redhawks eking out a win 8-6 and thereby ending a six-game losing streak that had extended back to 1996.

Kickoff this Friday in Hudson is set for 7 p.m.