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Redhawks strike down Plainsmen, 34-6, in season opener at Dennis Field

Returning senior running back Michael Schrier celebrates in the Plainsmen endzone after scoring the first touchdown of both the game and the regular season for the Redhawks druing their home opener last Friday night on Dennis Field in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Starting quarterback Kolt Knaack (left) looks downfield to a receiver early in the game against the Belle Plaine Plainsmen on August 26 during the Redhawks’ home opener in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama wide receiver, senior Logan Siemens (24) runs with the ball, dodging Plainsmen defenders, on his way to what would be his first of two touchdowns during last Friday’s game against Belle Plaine at home. Siemens was an invaluable part of the Redhawks’ offense in the first game of the 2022-2023 season. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Wide receiver Logan Siemens (24) is congratulated by several of his North Tama teammates including Ryan Hosek (left) and Lucas DeBoef (8) after scoring a touchdown with just under 40 seconds left in the first half of last Friday’s home opener against the Belle Plaine Plainsmen, bringing the score to 14-6. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Members of both the Traer and Clutier American Legions' Color Guards process across Dennis Field on Friday, August 26, in Traer ahead of the Redhawks season opener. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Redhawks starting quarterback Kolt Knaack warms up ahead of the Aug. 26 game against Belle Plaine on Dennis Field in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama head coach Taylor Wurth speaks to his players one last time ahead of kickoff Aug. 26. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Wide receiver Logan Siemens (24) looks for an opening after a handoff from quarterback Kolt Knaack on Aug. 26. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Redhawks wide receiver Logan Siemens celebrates after scoring one of his two touchdowns for the Redhawks against the Belle Plaine Plainsmen on Aug. 26 in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Kolt Knaack takes off his helmet during a timeout on the field Aug. 26 in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Members of the North Tama student section celebrate 'Adam Sandler Night' on the gridiron Aug. 26. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Double duty! Redhawks backup quarterback Max Monat (right) gets a much-needed helping hand from older brother Case Monat (left) during halftime as he attempts to ready for the band's performance. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Brothers Max and Case Monat perform as part of the percussion section during Friday night's halftime show in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Gridiron football was back in full force last Friday night in Traer as the Redhawks struck down the Belle Plaine Plainsmen on Dennis Field, 34-6, in a season opener that featured smart, plucky North Tama football that is hopefully a harbinger of the season ahead.

A mere three minutes into the game – following a fumble by Belle Plaine on a bad snap which linebacker Gavin Rausch recovered – Redhawks quarterback Kolt Knaack passed to running back Michael Schrier for the first of five North Tama touchdowns. Rausch then ran it in on a two-point conversion giving the Redhawks the lead, 8-0 – a position they would keep the rest of the game.

Despite the final score, the game was no walk in the park for the Redhawks with the Plainsmen repeatedly marching the ball downfield only to be stopped just short of the endzone by North Tama’s defense. The Redhawks’ offense also appeared to struggle a bit with overthrown passes and a continuing issue with high snaps that cropped up in scrimmage the week before.

But after securing their only touchdown of the game in the first quarter with less than a minute to go, the “gritty” Plainsmen – in the words of North Tama head coach Taylor Wurth on Twitter – just couldn’t thwart the Redhawks’ plucky offense which managed to score two of the team’s five touchdowns in less than 40 seconds alone during the second quarter.

The sophomore Knaack led the offense for the Redhawks, completing 44 percent of his passes against the Plainsmen, throwing for 289 yards and five touchdowns for which he connected with four different Redhawks receivers.

Senior Logan Siemens notched two touchdowns for North Tama with 123 receiving yards, while junior Jared Dvorak notched 40 receiving yards and one touchdown, Schrier had 33 receiving yards and a touchdown, and senior Lucas DeBoef went 18 yards and a touchdown. Rausch caught the most passes on Friday with nine for 75 yards.

North Tama racked up 52 defensive tackles total with Schrier and Siemens leading the way with 9.5 tackles (5 solo) and 9 tackles (4 solo), respectively. Siemens also recovered one fumble.

DeBoef had 5.5 tackles (two solo) and one interception, Rausch had 5 tackles (two solo) and recovered two fumbles, Knaack had 4.5 tackles (one solo), and senior Ayden Staker also had 4.5 tackles (two solo).

“The boys played their hearts out,” Wurth told the Telegraph following the game. “They’ve worked so hard up to this point, I’m happy for them to get rewarded with a [Week One win]. It wasn’t pretty, but I know our guys will learn and continue to get better.”

This Friday the Redhawks are set to play AGWSR (1-0) on the road. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. at the high school in Ackley. The Redhawks have faced the Cougars three times since 2014 with their first and only win coming last season, at home, 44-7.