Redhawk receiver Josh Dostal runs to a 78-yard touchdown early in the first quarter against South Winneshiek last Friday on Dennis Field in Traer. Despite an explosive start and equally thrilling finish, North Tama will miss the playoffs following their district loss to the Warriors. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – It was make or break for Redhawk football last Friday in terms of securing a spot in this year’s postseason. And while North Tama stayed competitive against South Winneshiek up to the bitter end – only succumbing, 34-28 in the final moments of the fourth quarter – without the district win, the Redhawks will end their season this coming Friday minus a playoff berth.

After an early touchdown and extra point by the Warriors in the first quarter, North Tama’s offense dished it right back on their first play Friday with a 78-yard touchdown from quarterback Kolt Knaack to receiver Josh Dostal who’s made it something of a habit this season to create early excitement for the Redhawks.

But after such a fierce opening on the part of both teams, the remainder of the first quarter was fairly uneventful. North Tama started the second quarter behind, 7-6.

Some four minutes in, the Warriors scored their second touchdown of the night plus an extra point.

A few minutes later, Brayton Cibula fielded a 26-yard pass from Knaack to put the Redhawks at South Winn’s 19-yard line.

North Tama quarterback Kolt Knaack (4) lines up for the snap near the Warriors’ endzone about midway through the second quarter. Knaack threw two touchdowns plus ran in two more himself. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Unfortunately, North Tama’s touchdown attempt was squandered due to two offensive penalties including intentional grounding and they were forced to punt.

With less than two minutes remaining in the first half, Dostal intercepted a Warriors pass but three plays later, South Winn returned the favor – intercepting Knaack’s pass and running in a 65-yard touchdown with less than a minute remaining.

The Warriors remained ahead, 21-6 to end the first half.

After a scoreless third quarter, excitement again ensued in the fourth beginning with a South Winn touchdown roughly three minutes in.

A couple of minutes later – and mere yards from a touchdown possibility – Knaack received a second penalty for intentional grounding, pushing the Redhawks back to the Warriors’ 29-yard line.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

But after two more plays, Knaack threw a perfect pass on fourth down from the 23-yard line to Dostal who caught it in the endzone. Adding in the extra two points, the Redhawks were now down just 28-14.

With less than five minutes remaining in the game, South Winn was forced to punt – a punt North Tama managed to block. In the chaos, Knaack scooped up the ball and ran it into the endzone for a 30-yard touchdown.

The play was so thrilling it caused assistant coach Tom McDermott to run out onto the field — earning himself a sideline warning.

Another extra two points from Knaack put the score at 28-22 and the Redhawks within a touchdown of tying the game. The playoffs seemed entirely possible at this point.

But the Warriors weren’t done and on the second play of the next series they ran in a 60-yard touchdown.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

With the clock ticking, North Tama quickly got to work with two gainful runs by Tyrus Luker and Dostal – placing the Redhawks at the Warriors’ 15-yard line.

Four plays later – including a negated touchdown throw to Dostal due to a penalty – Knaack ran in a 16-yard touchdown on fourth down.

With the Redhawks’ extra point attempt no good, the score was 34-28 with two minutes remaining but that is where it would remain. North Tama would not earn another chance at the end zone against the Warriors, sealing the narrow loss and missing out on the playoffs.

“We are an explosive team when we are clicking,” head coach Andrew Knaack told the Telegraph. “People saw that Friday night, that we can score fast if we need to.

“We did make a game of it at the end. But, came up a little short. I didn’t know what to expect from this team when we came out of halftime. But we had heart and pride and battled to the end.”

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama quarterback Kolt Knaack went 10-for-21 against the Warriors with 263 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also carried the ball a dozen times for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Knaack connected with three of his receivers including Josh Dostal seven times for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

Gavin Rausch led North Tama’s defense with 11.5 tackles (6 solo) out of a team total of 54. Tyler Popelka and Knaack each notched 8.5 tackles. Knaack also had one fumble recovery for a 30-yard touchdown.

While the loss to South Winn was narrow, it is perhaps the Redhawks’ biggest loss of the season in other ways.

“It was a game we needed to win to stay in the playoff,” Coach Knaack explained. “We did have a lot of penalties – it put us behind the eight ball in a lot of drives we got going and then we would get a penalty and would kill the drive.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“With a solid team like South Winn you can’t beat yourself.”

This Friday the team will play their final game of the year — at home against non-district North Mahaska (2-5). Coach Knaack said despite the game having no bearing on postseason chances, the Redhawks plan to give it all they’ve got.

“[W]e have to go out and play hard and show people what we have. We talked about sending the seniors out with a win. The season will feel a little better if we win this last game.”

The Redhawks have won two games this year, while also keeping stride with some tough opponents in the losses.

“We took steps in the right direction this season. We were right there with the top teams in the district,” Coach Knaack said before circling back to his team’s last game.

“We want to send these seniors out with a [win] Friday night. We want the fans of North Tama to come out Friday night and help us send them out on a high note.”

The Redhawks (2-5) will kick off their final game of the 2023-24 season at 7 p.m. Friday on Dennis Field in Traer.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER