North Tama running back Gavin Rausch (7) makes his way through the Madrid defense early in the game last Friday after fielding a pass from quarterback Kolt Knaack. Rausch had 10 receptions for 33 yards plus six carries for 11 yards. He was also the defensive leader against the Tigers, notching seven total tackles. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

MADRID — The North Tama football team fell to 10th-ranked Madrid in the opening round of the Class A state playoffs, losing 41-6 last Friday night at Randy Hinkel Field.

The Redhawks (4-5) were held to 112 yards of total offense and just 40 yards on the ground. Senior quarterback Kolt Knaack was 17-for-31 passing for 72 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 21 yards.

Josh Dostal made five catches for 25 yards and the Redhawks’ lone touchdown. Fellow senior Gavin Rausch had 10 catches for 33 yards, and Tyrus Luker had two grabs for 14 yards.

Rausch led the defense with seven tackles and Brayton Cibula made six stops. Mason Hosek and Braydon Stickles both had fumble recoveries to help the Redhawk defense.

Madrid (7-2) rushed for 307 of its 487 yards of offense, led by quarterback Preston Wicker’s 177 yards and two touchdowns. He also was 5-for-10 passing for 180 yards with two more scores.

North Tama senior Josh Dostal punts the ball late in the first half against Madrid last Friday night during the Class A state playoffs. Dostal punted five times for 198 yards total against the Tigers. He also scored the only points of the game for the Redhawks – a six-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The game was only the fourth time in history the two programs have played each other; the last time being in 2010 for the Class A state championship which the Redhawks won – the team’s only state football title.

Following Friday night’s game, Kolt Knaack spoke with the newspaper.

“The game was definitely a tough one,” he said in a text-based interview. When asked if the lack of depth his team fielded this season could be partly to blame for the loss, Knaack said it had an impact, explaining, “[I]t makes it a lot harder to compete with these other teams who can keep bringing in fresh guys.”

North Tama was also without one of their strongest players on Friday night – 5-foot-10, 220-pound senior Chaz Hall who was injured during the final regular season game on Oct. 18 against North Mahaska.

“It definitely made it harder without Chaz out there,” Knaack said, “because he always has high energy on the field and is a great leader for our team.”

Redhawk quarterback Kolt Knaack (4) runs with the ball late in the second quarter against the Madrid Tigers last Friday during the Class A state playoffs. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

When asked to comment on playing his final high school football game, Knaack said leaving it all behind is tough especially considering how long he’s been playing alongside several of his teammates.

“When the game ended it wasn’t fun knowing that I won’t be able to go out there [again] on the field with the guys who I’ve played with since third grade.”

In terms of next season, the possibility of North Tama dropping to 8-player is looking more and more likely following October’s school board meeting (see page 1). For his part, Knaack believes playing at a smaller classification would certainly have made a difference this season.

“I don’t know much about 8-man, but I know it’s a possibility [we might drop] and it would’ve made a big difference [this season] – whether that would have been scout team at practice or substitutes for the game, it would have been nice to have more personnel options.”

Knaack ends his senior season as both the Redhawks’ passing and rushing leader; he went 125-for-214 for 1,493 total yards and 16 touchdowns, while carrying the ball 135 times for 533 yards and seven touchdowns; he also had 63 total tackles (35 solo).

North Tama’s offensive line beleaguered waits – some displaying visible injuries – or their quarterback late in the second quarter during last Friday’s Class A state playoff against Madrid at Randy Hinkel Field. The Redhawks severe lack of depth this season led to many injuries and an overall lack of substitutes. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The Redhawks’ 2024-25 defensive leader was senior Gavin Rausch who notched 74.5 total tackles (44 solo) and one sack.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER