Opening drive TD, perfect hook-and-ladder fuel Redhawk homecoming victory over Bearcats

: 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

: Redhawk wide receiver Josh Dostal, right, celebrates exuberantly and with aplomb alongside his teammate Bryar Hall (21) after running in a 57-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage against the Bearcats last Friday evening in Traer. Clayton Williams (8) is also pictured as he rushed to congratulate Dostal. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: North Tama starting quarterback Kolt Knaack (4) begins his pass to wide receiver Josh Dostal (not pictured) during the Redhawks first play from scrimmage on Friday, Oct. 4, against the North Butler Bearcats in Traer. Dostal was able to wrestle the pass from a Bearcat receiver to then run in the 57-yard TD mere seconds into the Homecoming game. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

: PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama starting quarterback Kolt Knaack (4) begins his pass to wide receiver Josh Dostal (not pictured) during the Redhawks first play from scrimmage on Friday, Oct. 4, against the North Butler Bearcats in Traer. Dostal was able to wrestle the pass from a Bearcat receiver to then run in the 57-yard TD mere seconds into the Homecoming game. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER — The North Tama football team won its fourth straight game with Friday’s 28-6 victory over North Butler in Class A District 3 play. The Redhawks outscored the Bearcats (3-3, 1-3) 20-0 over the final three quarters.

Two thrilling plays stood out above the rest for North Tama which was celebrating Homecoming 2024 that evening. Mere seconds into the game on the first play from scrimmage, the Redhawks scored a 57-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Kolt Knaack to wide receiver Josh Dostal, sending North Tama fans into a frenzy.

A little over five minutes into the second quarter, the Redhawks notched their second touchdown as part of an epic hook and ladder play that saw Knaack make a short sideline pass to Dostal from North Tama’s 49. As the Bearcat defense began to close in, Dostal turned and flipped the ball to running back Gavin Rausch who then blazed 47 yards down the North Tama sideline for the team’s second touchdown of the evening – stunning the Bearcats and creating wild celebration in the Redhawk bleachers.

Against North Butler, North Tama (4-2, 4-1) was led by Knaack’s 270 passing yards. He was 16-for-27 with four touchdowns and two interceptions, connecting with Dostal nine times for 154 yards and two TDs. Kayler Morris had three grabs for 51 yards and a touchdown while Rausch hauled in his 47-yard TD strike.

Knaack and Morris both had interceptions and Rausch recovered a fumble for the defense, which bent but didn’t break. North Butler rushed for 183 yards but couldn’t find paydirt, as the Bearcats’ only score was a 45-yard interception return by Stroker Koop.

Redhawk wide receiver Josh Dostal, right, celebrates exuberantly and with aplomb alongside his teammate Bryar Hall (21) after running in a 57-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage against the Bearcats last Friday evening in Traer. Clayton Williams (8) is also pictured as he rushed to congratulate Dostal. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Rausch had 11.5 tackles to lead the defense, with Knaack adding eight stops. Chaz Hall and Clayton Williams had 7.5 tackles each.

Tonight, Friday, Oct. 11,, the Redhawks (4-2) are on the road to Calmar where they’ll face the South Winneshiek Warriors (2-4) in further District 3 play. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.