MADRID – North Mahaska made the long trip into the wind Friday to face the No. 4 team in Class A. The host Tigers showed why they are one of the top teams and the district leader taking the opening kickoff back 88 yards for a touchdown en route to a 41-0 victory.
On North Mahaska’s first possession senior Nate Sampson rushed for eight yards. On the next play Lucas Nunnikhoven threw the first of five North Mahaska interceptions and quickly Madid was up 14-0. NM could not move the ball and the Tigers engineered a drive from their own 38-yard line and led 21-0 after one period.
North Mahaska reached Madrid territory early in the second quarter when they forced a Tiger punt into the wind and ended up at the Tiger 45-yard line. NM advanced the ball to the 15 but a penalty moved the ball backwards and Madrid intercepted the ball on fourth down. A strong rush and a late hit by NM put the Tigers at midfield and looked as though they would add another score. Nunnikhoven put an end to that thought with an interception of a Tiger aerial.
Following another interception Madrid scored a late half TD and went up 28-0 at halftime.
NM moved the ball in the beginning of the third quarter moving from their own 41-yard line to Madrid 33 before another interception spoiled the drive. A 71-yard scamper by Madrid quarterback Preston Wicker resulted in a score and a continuous clock. The Tigers would add a late score, but the Warhawks forced a miss on the point after try to reach the final score.
North Mahaska was playing without starting running back Kaleb Stout, who was out with an injury. Sampson picked up an unofficial 36 yards on the ground. NM used a multi-player backfield with Nunnikhoven and Sampson sharing quarterback duties while Hunter Wernli, Joel DeJong and Gage Reis took shots in the backfield.
Madrid was credited with 384 yards in offense, 332 coming on the ground. Wicker led with 125 yards on five carries with two TDs, Nic Bueb added 107 on 11 carries and Nash Ramirez had 82 on eight carries with one score apiece.
North Mahaska, 2-5, will close out the season at North Tama Friday.
