Redhawks backup quarterback, freshman Kolt Knaack (15) rushes the ball while Wapsie Valley Warriors close in around him early in the game last Friday on Dennis Field. Knaack was playing for senior running back Aiden Zook who was forced to sit out due to an ejection last week in the game against BCLUW. Knaack carried the ball four times against the Warriors for a total of 13 yards. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

The story arc of the Class A No. 4 (AP/Week 7) North Tama Redhawks football team took a turn this past Friday night against the Wapsie Valley Warriors most fans did not expect — they lost 0-14.

Under Coach Taylor Wurth’s leadership, the Redhawks went into the home game on Dennis Field with a 6-0 record and a starting quarterback — senior Gabe Kopriva — who has been racking up accolades and breaking records all season thanks to his seemingly impenetrable offensive line.

But the team also went into the game missing two extremely valuable players, seniors Devin McKinley (wide receiver/cornerback) and Aiden Zook (running back/linebacker) — both forced to sit out the game against Wapsie Valley due to ejections the week before on the road against BCLUW.

The mood on Dennis Field Friday night was noticeably subdued from the start. The energy felt different, the team appeared hesitant — their usual physical presence lacking.

For a team with a tendency to score touchdowns right out of the gate, this game certainly marked a change.

The North Tama Redhawks take the field last Friday night at home against the Wapsie Valley Warriors. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

“We definitely missed Aiden [Zook] and Devin [McKinley],” Coach Wurth said by way of a text-based interview following the game. “No one likes to lose. I’m proud of the way our guys fought and never gave up. This game will make us better.”

Kopriva’s partner on the field all season — McKinley — was replaced by junior wide receiver Logan Siemens while backup quarterback, freshman Kolt Knaack took over for Zook. Both gave it their all but the Redhawks’

Rushing, however, slammed him into a wall practically every time.

Toward the end of the third quarter with the score sitting at 0-7, Zook — who was watching from the sidelines — yelled out to his team in frustration, “You’re responsible for the quarterback, let’s go!”

In addition to their uncharacteristic hesitancy, the Redhawks also turned the ball over more times than they ever have in a game this season — the Warriors recorded four interceptions and one fumble recovery against North Tama. Both of Wapsie Valley’s touchdowns were the end result of turnovers.

Redhawks junior wide receiver Michael Schrier (43) removes his helmet and hangs his head while walking off Dennis Field during a timeout Friday against the Wapsie Valley Warriors. Schrier recorded just one reception — for a 12 yard gain — during the game and struggled to gain traction on the field like the rest of his Redhawks teammates. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Kopriva struggled all night to find his receivers. Passes that would usually find the pocket were either dropped or missed or even fumbled, much of that courtesy of Warriors’ defensive end Mason Harter who towered over everyone on the field at six-foot-six.

Harter repeatedly made it past North Tama’s offensive line to get a hand or a finger on the passes Kopriva attempted to make.

With roughly four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Kopriva threw a beautiful 12 yard pass to Adam Greiner that energized the team and the sidelines considerably, only to have all that momentum lost in the very next play when Harter bolted past the O line to deflect Kopriva’s pass for an interception.

Kopriva still managed to put up 257 passing yards against Wapsie Valley — a testament to his skill — while Knaack recorded a loss of 5 passing yards. Kopriva attempted 36 passes, making 22 of them.

Kopriva remains the No. 1 player in the state for passing yards with 2,095 yards, more than 230 yards ahead of Monticello’s Preston Ries who took over the No. 2 spot recently from Montezuma’s Eddie Burgess.

Redhawks head coach Taylor Wurth (center left) looks at his notes while starting quarterback Gabe Kopriva (center right) vents his frustration to him during a timeout on Dennis Field Friday night. The No. 4 Redhawks lost 0-14 to the Wapsie Valley Warriors in their final home game of the regular season. Their record now sits at 6-1 heading into their matchup on the road this week with powerhouse Grundy Center. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

North Tama rushed for 86 yards against WV, much of that again due to Kopriva who was the rushing leader for the Redhawks with 78 yards and 26 carries. Knaack rushed for 13 yards while Siemens lost five yards.

Kopriva’s receivers included Greiner, Knaack, Siemens, Michael Bell, and Michael Schrier. Kopriva connected with Greiner six times for 75 yards, Knaack six times for 81 yards, Siemens five times for 49 yards, Bell three times for 39 yards, and Schrier just once for 12 yards.

The Redhawks defense managed 47 tackles from 12 players. Senior linebacker Logan Rausch was the defensive leader against the Warriors with 7.5 tackles (two solo). Siemens had seven tackles (two solo), Schrier had six tackles (three solo), senior safety Austin Unker had five tackles (three solo), sophomore defensive tackle Ryan Hosek had five tackles (two solo), Bell had 4.5 tackles (three solo), Greiner had 4.5 tackles (one solo), Nathan Kucera had three tackles (one solo), Kopriva contributed two tackles on his own, Knaack was part of 1.5 tackles, while senior defensive end Thomas Hulme and sophomore linebacker Tyler Popelka were part of 0.5 tackles each.

During practically every timeout Friday night, Kopriva was visibly frustrated as he spoke with Coach Wurth. Kopriva held his head in his hands at one point as he crouched down on the field.

As frustration on the field mounted, the Redhawks sidelines seemed to get quieter and quieter — the usual encouragement and chatter missing, save for Zook in the bleachers who never once gave up pleading with his team to come alive.

Redhawks wide receiver Logan Siemens (24) runs with the ball briefly before being tackled after a handoff from starting quarterback Gabe Kopriva (1) who looks on (back left). Siemens was playing for wide receiver Devin McKinley who was missing from the game against Wapsie Valley Friday night due to an ejection during the game against BCLUW the week before. Siemens displayed some clever footwork at times during the game but ultimately only recorded a loss (-5) on rushing yardage for the Redhawks, while putting up 49 receiving yards. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Two series seemed to define the game Friday night and both came in the fourth quarter.

With just under nine minutes remaining, Kopriva kept the ball and rushed to the 15 yard line — to which someone on the sidelines yelled, “He’s back!”

Another play got the Redhawks within two yards of the endzone but on the next play — a touchdown within reach — North Tama fumbled it.

The air went out of Dennis Field after that and it became eerily quiet for a Friday night high school football game.

North Tama’s final series of the night took place with just over a minute remaining in the game. Kopriva passed to Knaack who got a hand on it briefly before tussling in the air a bit and then finally securing it to put the Redhawks at the 11 yard line.

North Tama starting quarterback Gabe Kopriva (1) holds his head in his hands during a timeout on Dennis Field Friday night. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

The Redhawks advanced on the next play to the six yard line and 2nd down.

Kopriva weaponized the ball for his final pass of the night — connecting briefly with Bell’s hands in the front right end zone but it was not to be — Wapsie Valley intercepted the pass.

Bell planted his face in the field at that point — with under a minute remaining, it was game over.

The Redhawks now sit at 6-1 for the season.

Coach Wurth said part of the loss must be credited to the opposing team’s ability.

“Wapsie is a good football team and they showed it.”

But he also admitted errors were made by the Redhawks.

“We had our chances and competed, but too many costly mistakes determined the game. … I thought overall we outplayed [the Warriors], but the momentum shifting plays did not go our way.”

Coach Wurth said he was proud of Knaack and Siemens for stepping up when they were needed — “the young guys who stepped in did a great job with not much preparation. We gave ourselves a chance.”

The Redhawks will need to give it everything they have for their regular season finale this Friday against the formidable Class A No. 6 Grundy Center Spartans.

The district rival Spartans are 6-1 for the season, their only loss being to Dike-New Hartford 10-13.

Most of Grundy Center’s wins have been shut-outs — they beat Wapsie Valley 35-0, Hudson 35-0, and Nashua-Plainfield 40-0. Their remaining wins were against South Hardin 35-7 and BCLUW 46-7.

“Grundy Center is one of the best teams in Class A,” Coach Wurth said. “Very well coached with great athletes all over. I know both teams and communities are looking forward to Friday night.”

Kickoff is at Grundy Center High School beginning at 7 p.m.

With McKinley and Zook set to be back in action for the North Tama Redhawks, the story continues.

North Tama starting quarterback Gabe Kopriva (1) holds his head in his hands while gripping his helmet during a timeout on Dennis Field Friday night — his coach Taylor Wurth (center, left of Kopriva) places his hand reassuringly on his back. Backup quarterback, freshman Kolt Knaack (center back) looks on. The team suffered a devastating loss 0-14 to the Wapsie Valley Warriors and struggled much of the night to find their presence on the field. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

North Tama freshman Kolt Knaack (15) warms up Friday during halftime. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

North Tama wide receiver/linebacker Michael Bell (42, center) encourages his teammates Friday night on Dennis Field. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

As frustration on the field mounted, the Redhawks sidelines seemed to get quieter and quieter — the usual encouragement and chatter missing, save for Aiden Zook (pictured) in the bleachers who never once gave up pleading with his team to come alive. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

North Tama wide receiver Michael Bell disappointedly plants his face in the front right end zone with less than a minute remaining in the game Friday night after losing a pass that had been picked off by the Wapsie Valley Warriors. The North Tama Redhawks lost 0-14 to the Warriors and are now 6-1 for the season. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Starting quarterback Gabe Kopriva makes the decision to rush the ball Friday night against the Wapsie Valley Warriors. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Friendly smiles in the ticket booth greeted both visitors and Redhawks fans to Dennis Field Friday night. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Redhawks cheerleaders. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Halftime show with the North Tama Marching Band. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Dennis Field on Friday, October 8, 2021. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker