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Redhawks shut out at home by Pirates, 17-0

North Tama now 1-2 on the season

Redhawks running back Michael Schrier (43) displays a gritty determination while running with the ball early in the game against the Hudson Pirates at home on Dennis Field last Friday, Sept. 9. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
The Redhawks take the field for the Battle of Highway 63 on Friday, Sept. 9 on Dennis Field in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Senior wide receiver Logan Siemens (24) runs with the ball after a handoff from quarterback Kolt Knaack (not pictured) during one of the first plays of the game last Friday against Hudson at home. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama junior Ryan Hosek (63) celebrates after successfully ending a Hudson attempt at a touchdown early in the first quarter during the Battle of Highway 63 last Friday in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Starting quarterback Kolt Knaack throws to a receiver early in the game against Hudson on Sept. 9 in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama’s Kaidon Cannon (54) works to hold off the Pirates’ defense while his quarterback, Kolt Knaack rushes with the ball. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Redhawks head coach Taylor Wurth (left) speaks to his quarterback Kolt Knaack (4) during a timeout on the field in the first half of last Friday’s home game on Dennis Field in Traer against the Hudson Pirates. Running back Michael Schrier (second from right) listens as well. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The Battle of Highway 63 certainly lived up to its name last Friday night in Traer in that North Tama battled a tough Hudson defense, making it a skirmish just to get the ball past the 50 yard line – something the Redhawks did not accomplish until the final seconds of the first quarter.

North Tama was shut out by Hudson, 17-0, and is now 1-2 on the season.

The Pirates scored their first touchdown in the first quarter with two minutes remaining after having been thwarted from doing so just short of the Redhawks’ endzone earlier in the quarter thanks to a key fourth down tackle by Ryan Hosek that injected a healthy dose of adrenaline into the home bleachers.

The Pirates scored another touchdown in the second quarter followed by a field goal in the third. Neither team scored in the fourth.

The Redhawks passing game against the Pirates was weaker than usual with only 50 percent of starting quarterback Kolt Knaack’s passes finding a receiver. Knaack – the Class A No. 5 passing leader in Week 2 with 422 total yards – threw for 108 yards Friday night, connecting with four receivers including Josh Dostal (5 receptions), Gavin Rausch (5 receptions), Michael Schrier (4 receptions), and Logan Siemens (2 receptions).

Knaack carried the ball 17 different times for 31 yards, while Schrier carried once for six rushing yards.

On defense, the Redhawks – who seemed slow overall to tackle much of the night – notched 53 tackles with Schrier leading the team with 13.5 tackles (6 solo). Other defensive leaders for North Tama included Siemens with 9.5 tackles (5 solo), Ryan Hosek with 6 tackles (3 solo), and Lucas DeBoef with five tackles (4 solo).

A spark of hope took place late in the fourth quarter when North Tama courtesy of Knaack recovered a Hudson fumble, but unfortunately, the team could not capitalize on the momentum and turned it over on downs.

This Friday, North Tama will face unranked Nashua-Plainfield (2-1) on the road. The Redhawks have played the Huskies three times historically (winning twice) including last year’s win, 50-22. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. in Nashua.