The North Tama football team led by senior Brayton Cibula (5) takes to Dennis Field Friday, Sept. 11, in Traer ahead of the District 6 clash with Clarksville. The Redhawks sported American flag decals on their helmets and wore special camouflage jerseys courtesy of the Iowa Army National Guard as part of Military Appreciation Night. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – Last Friday night on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks during which 2,977 people lost their lives after terrorists commandeered and crashed four planes on U.S. soil, the North Tama school district and greater community came together on the Traer gridiron to observe Military Appreciation Night as part of the Redhawks’ Week 3 8-Man district clash with the behemoth Clarksville Indians.

Friday Night Lights began with a cohort of North Tama alumni and current Iowa Army National Guard servicemembers leading the Redhawks onto Dennis Field as part of the pregame entrance, including Warrant Officer 1 Michael Dennis (’99), Sergeant First Class Amber Folken (’06), Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brandon Ingle (’07), Staff Sergeant Brandy King (’10), and Staff Sergeant Cory Kennedy (’18).

An American Legion color guard composed of Legionnaires from both the Traer and Clutier posts then presented the colors prior to the North Tama Marching Band, led by director Channing Halstead, performing the national anthem.

The game ball was brought onto the field by way of an unmanned ground vehicle operated from the sidelines by members of the Iowa Army National Guard’s storied 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, headquartered in Waterloo. Staff Sergeant Izach Henson, a North Tama Class of 2019 alumnus, assisted with the game ball.

Just prior to kickoff, which Clarksville received, North Tama head coach Andrew Knaack was celebrated with a round of “Happy Birthday” by those in attendance at the behest of Mike Morrison, the “Voice of the Redhawks.”

A cohort of North Tama alumni and current Iowa Army National Guard service members pictured last Friday night at Dennis Field during the playing of the National Anthem by the North Tama Band. Those pictured include Staff Sergeant Cory Kennedy (‘18), Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brandon Ingle (‘07), Sergeant First Class Amber Folken (‘06), Staff Sergeant Brandy King (‘10), and Warrant Officer 1 Michael Dennis (‘99). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

First half; halftime

Despite great effort and smart plays, the Redhawks were unable to overcome Clarksville’s imposing offensive line Friday night, which boasts players all weighing well over 200 pounds, as well as running backs Noah Moon and Boden Miller, who both repeatedly cruised into the end zone with nary a glove put upon them.

Clarksville got out to an early 8-0 lead thanks to Miller’s burst on a handoff down the sideline in the opening drive. North Tama quickly answered with a touchdown run by Griffin Hall, but a flag on the play reversed the brief celebration by the Redhawks.

Clarksville scored twice more in the second quarter before North Tama finally found pay dirt following a successful 20-yard touchdown pass by starting quarterback Kayvin Morris to Hall. The Indians answered with a touchdown drive of their own.

On their next series, the Redhawks notched another passing touchdown with just 32 seconds left on the clock.

Junior tight end Griffin Hall (1) is lifted into the air by his fellow Redhawks in celebration after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of last Friday's game against Clarksville in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The first half ended with the Indians leading 30-14.

During halftime, the North Tama Band performed a moving Military Appreciation Night tribute with a medley featuring the official song of each branch of the United States military. Veterans in attendance were asked to stand and be recognized during their respective branch’s song.

The North Tama Dance Team also performed, pumping up the crowd with a patriotic routine coordinated to Little Mix’s “Salute.”

Extra Yard for Teachers Week

Following NTDT’s performance, Principal Taylor Howard took to the field to announce the district’s 2026 recipients of the Extra Yard for Teachers Game Ball Recognition Program, sponsored by the College Football Playoff Foundation, which honors PK-12 teachers across the country annually during one special week in September. Two teachers were selected by their colleagues for “going the extra yard to make a positive impact on students.”

North Tama's Extra Yard for Teachers 2026 honoree Brenda Kaufmann pictured on Dennis Field at halftime. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Second-grade teacher Brenda Kaufmann, who has been teaching for 33 years, was selected at the elementary level, and social studies teacher Quentin Lamb, who has been teaching at North Tama for five years, was selected at the secondary level.

Kaufmann was selected due to the “incredible impact she has on students every day,” Levi LaRue announced during the ceremony. “Brenda challenges her students to reach high levels of learning while creating a classroom environment that is kind, welcoming, and encouraging for all. She goes above and beyond to design engaging experiences that spark curiosity, ignite a passion for learning, and leave students excited to come to school each day. Her dedication to keeping students engaged and helping every student reach their full potential truly makes a difference.”

“Lamb’s colleagues selected him for this honor because of the incredible connections he builds with students,” LaRue said as both Lamb and Kaufmann stood on the field holding a game ball and facing Redhawk Country spectators. “He does a phenomenal job showing students that he genuinely cares about them while creating a classroom environment built on empathy and connection. Mr. Lamb brings passion and energy to everything he teaches, and that passion is contagious – it inspires his students to become excited and engaged in their learning. His ability to connect with students, care for them, and bring enthusiasm to the classroom makes a lasting impact.”

Second half

The third quarter ended with Clarksville continuing to hold the lead, 38-28. In the final quarter, the Redhawks managed two more touchdowns, but the Indians racked up another 24 points to win the District 6 clash, 62-42.

North Tama's Extra Yard for Teachers 2026 honoree Quentin Lamb pictured on Dennis Field at halftime. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Against Clarksville (2-1), Morris was 22-for-37 passing for 224 yards and five touchdowns, including four to Hall, who had a 50-yard touchdown run in the second half. Hall managed 13 receptions total for 163 yards. Berkley Dvorak had a 5-yard touchdown reception.

Morris led the Redhawks rushing game with 83 yards and a 9-yard touchdown. Maddox Rausch added another 49 yards. Rausch had a pair of 2-point conversions, while Hall had one.

Clarksville rushed for a staggering 546 yards and seven touchdowns, with 360 of those yards and four touchdowns coming from Moon alone. Miller racked up 169 yards and three touchdowns; he also had the Indians’ lone receiving touchdown.

On defense, North Tama (1-2) recorded 50 tackles, led by Berkeley Dvorak with a dozen (eight solo) and Rausch with 11 (six solo). The Indians had 42 tackles, including two for loss, plus one interception.

As part of the game Friday night, North Tama players sported American flag decals on their helmets and wore special camouflage jerseys courtesy of the Iowa Army National Guard.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“Today our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts,” then-President George W. Bush said in an address to the nation 25 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, before later stating as part of his remarks, “Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”

According to official reports, there were at least eight known victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with connections to Iowa, including:

-SPC Craig Scott Amundson, 28, Cedar Rapids

-James Cleere, 55, Newton

-Timothy Aaron Haviland, 41, formerly of Ames

-Karen Ann Kincaid, 40, Waverly

-Lt. Col. Gary F. Smith, 55, Council Bluffs

-Mari-Rae Sopper, 35, formerly of Ames

-Sandra Dawn Teague, 31, formerly of Des Moines and West Des Moines

-Michael Tinley, 56, formerly of Council Bluffs

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER