GMG wide receiver Easton Sash scores the Wolverines’ second touchdown of the evening during the first quarter of the 8-Man District 6 clash with North Tama played Friday, Oct. 2, in Garwin. Sash found paydirt following a beautifully executed double-pass play by quarterback Ethan Klemesrud. 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.

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

GMG quarterback Ethan Klemesrud carries in a touchdown against the North Tama Redhawks, Friday, Oct. 2, in Garwin. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Statistics were not available for GMG in time for publication.

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.

GMG quarterback Ethan Klemesrud (7) carries the ball against the North Tama defense as his offensive linemen clear the path last Friday night in Garwin. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The GMG cheer team, which includes captains Gracie Deal and Victoria Dingman, hold up a handpainted “Lock Up The Redhawks” breakaway banner for the Wolverine football team to run through ahead of last Friday’s 8-Man District 6 clash in Garwin. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The Wolverines, led by senior wide receiver Jacob Snider (25), run through the breakaway banner onto the high school football field in Garwin moments before kickoff against the North Tama Redhawks last Friday evening. 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