North Tama quarterback Michael Schrier – who stepped in for injured starting quarterback Kolt Knaack the last two games of the Redhawks’ regular season – rushes with the ball on Friday, October 14 in Traer against the No. 2 Grundy Center Spartans. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

North Tama, minus their starting quarterback, took on the second-ranked, now-Class A District 3 Champions – the undefeated Grundy Center Spartans – last Friday night at home in the final game of their regular season. The Redhawks lost, 42-0, to the district champs but managed to put up quite the fight in an attempt to staunch what could have been an even bigger loss.

Without Kolt Knaack at QB, it was already a tough game from the kickoff. Knaack, who injured his shoulder during the home game with BCLUW back on Sept. 30 – a game he managed to finish despite the injury – subsequently reinjured it the following week while on the road against Wapsie Valley.

“He tried to play last Friday and only played the first quarter until he landed on his shoulder again and reinjured,” assistant coach Andrew Knaack – and Kolt’s dad – told the Telegraph. “He has a severe strain of the AC joint in his shoulder. Rest is the only way to heal, so hopefully, we’ll have him [back] next week.”

Although Knaack did play – punting for the Redhawks a total of three times for 58 yards and throwing once due to a high snap on an additional punt – it was senior running back Michael Schrier who took over the key position, leading the team alongside senior wide receiver Logan Siemens who lined up for almost every snap beside Schrier with hands at the ready.

Although a few snaps did land in Siemens’s hands, Schrier took on the brunt of the substitute work, connecting six of seven times with his receivers – Gavin Rausch for five and Josh Dostal once – for a total of 15 yards. Schrier kept the ball 21 times for 54 yards while Siemens did the same nine times for 35 yards.

Senior Michael Schrier (43) and Logan Siemens (24) wait for the snap Friday night in Traer against No. 2 Grundy Center. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

North Tama’s offensive stats alone tell much of the story of the game – Grundy Center’s defense is truly a force to be reckoned with this season, allowing little movement and stopping what few runs the Redhawks were able to execute.

The Spartans’ offense was just as impressive. Many of the Redhawks’ drives were turned over on downs – including the first – and Grundy Center managed to make the most of the resulting field position.

Case in point, beginning at the Redhawks’ 44-yard line just four minutes into the first quarter, the Spartans handed off their took first snap and breezed right through North Tama’s defensive line for an easy opening touchdown.

Another Spartans’ touchdown came with just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter; with just under two minutes remaining, North Tama turned the ball back over on a fumble. And despite dropping the snap, the Spartans recovered and ran into the endzone for their third touchdown of the night. Grundy Center led the Redhawks 21-0 entering the second quarter.

Two more Spartans’ touchdowns arrived in the second quarter, followed by another in the third with the final quarter scoreless leading to a 42-0 shut-out win for Grundy Center.

Senior Michael Schrier (43) catches the snap last Friday on Dennis Field against Grundy Center while his teammate, senior wide receiver Logan Siemens (24) takes off for the play. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

This week, the Redhawks were able to add an extra game to the schedule owed to the fact they will not be appearing in the playoffs.

North Tama will face Starmont (1-7) at home on Dennis Field on Friday, October 21 in one final high school matchup for the six graduating seniors including Clayton Boldt, Lucas DeBoef, Michael Schrier, Logan Siemens, Ayden Staker, and Levi Zobel.

North Tama ends the 2022-2023 regular season 1-7.

North Tama’s Kolt Knaack punts the ball last Friday, October 14, against the No. 2 Grundy Center Spartans on Dennis Field in Traer. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Gavin Rausch fields a kickoff against the No. 2 Grundy Center Spartans during the first half of last Friday’s home game on Dennis Field. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

Starting quarterback Kolt Knaack (4) – punting only due to a shoulder injury – taps his teammate Michael Schrier (43), who stepped in at QB, during a timeout on the field last Friday night against Grundy Center in Traer. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

North Tama head coach Taylor Wurth speaks to his players during a timeout on the field last Friday in Traer. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON