North Tama tight end Braydon Stickles (10) intercepts a GMG pass meant for wide receiver Jacoby Woodbury (19) during the second quarter of last Friday’s 8-Man District 6 clash in Garwin. Redhawk quarterback Kayvin Morris (4) is also pictured. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GARWIN – Redhawk football came out on top in last Friday’s 8-Man District 6 clash in Garwin, defeating GMG, 52-42, following high-octane action and big plays from both Tama County programs.

GMG set the tone Friday night with a touchdown and two-point conversion on opening possession. Wolverine quarterback Ethan Klemesrud – still the state leader in total tackles this season across all classes – carried in the touchdown himself after his team came back at least twice from fourth down. Some three minutes later, his opposing counterpart, North Tama quarterback Kayvin Morris, did the same for the Redhawks. With Maddox Rausch’s two-point conversion good, the score was tied 8-8.

On GMG’s second drive of the game, the Wolverines scored again on a beautifully executed double-pass play, which began with Klemesrud tossing the ball to wide receiver Jacoby Woodbury positioned behind the line of scrimmage. Woodbury took off running toward the North Tama sideline before abruptly pulling up to launch a pass downfield to fellow wide receiver Easton Sash, who ran it into the end zone. Both the GMG bench and home crowd went wild. GMG regained the lead, 14-8.

Roughly two minutes before the end of the first quarter, North Tama’s Griffin Hall ran in another TD and Maddox Rausch scored a two-point conversion. The quarter ended with the Redhawks on top, 16-14.

The second quarter played out just as thrilling as the first, with GMG forcing a Redhawk turnover on downs roughly halfway through. But the opportunity was quickly squandered, and GMG punted with just under four minutes remaining.

North Tama quarterback Kayvin Morris, right, runs in a touchdown as he battles GMG linebacker Jacoby Woodbury last Friday night in Garwin. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

On the next drive, North Tama senior tight end Brayton Cibula ran in a 33-yard receiving touchdown right down the center. The extra point was good and the Redhawks improved to 24-14.

On the first play of GMG’s next drive, North Tama senior tight end Braydon Stickles intercepted a pass from Klemesrud to Woodbury, putting the Redhawks at their own 10-yard line. Morris then fumbled the ball on a quarterback keep, allowing GMG senior lineman Dante Jay to scoop it up and run practically into the Redhawks’ red zone. Klemesrud capitalized on the play by carrying in another TD, narrowing North Tama’s lead to 24-20.

The first half ended on another pulse-pounding series as Morris threw a buzzer-beater touchdown pass to Rausch, positioned deep in the end zone. Despite GMG’s coaching staff giving the officials an earful regarding Rausch’s final positioning, the Redhawks entered the break firmly in command, 30-20.

The third quarter played out somewhat quieter than the first half with Hall carrying in another touchdown for the Redhawks early on and Sash running in a short receiving touchdown for GMG close to the end. Both programs managed another 16 points apiece in the final quarter.

Following an exhausting, muddy, cold night on the gridiron, North Tama triumphed 52-42 in what amounted to a high-scoring clash that more than showcased the potential of both Tama County teams.

North Tama linebacker Berkley Dvorak (3) pulls down GMG wide receiver Easton Sash during the Friday, Oct. 2, 8-Man District 6 clash in Garwin. Dvorak led the North Tama defense in victory against the Wolverines that evening. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

For the Redhawks, Morris went 26-for-41 passing for 317 yards and three touchdowns — scores were notched twice by Rausch and once by Cibula. Hall had 11 receptions for 117 yards; Rausch had nine receptions for 101 yards, including a 43-yard TD; and Cibula had three carries for 42 yards.

Rausch led the Redhawk rush with 82 yards and a touchdown. Hall ran in two touchdowns and Morris keepered one himself.

The North Tama defense was led by junior Berkley Dvorak with nine tackles. Hall and Rausch both had four tackles apiece.

Statistics were not available for GMG in time for publication.

A pack of Wolverine defenders attempts to stop North Tama running back Maddox Rausch (2) last Friday night in Garwin. Rausch led the Redhawks’ rushing game against GMG with 82 yards and a touchdown; he also recorded two passing touchdowns. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

While carrying the ball for the North Tama offense, running back Maddox Rausch (2) is tackled by GMG quarterback Ethan Klemesrud (1), the leading tackler in the state across all classes this season. 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

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER