NEW SHARON – Madrid’s football team came into Friday’s Class A District 6 game out of the state rankings but made a statement in securing the district championship with a 41-6 win at North Mahaska. Madrid holds a two-game lead over Mount Ayr and Wayne heading into the final week of the regular season. 

North Mahaska, who had hoped to score an upset in hopes of taking the fourth playoff spot saw that disappear as the Tigers scored twice in each of the first two quarters. Madrid’s quarterback Preston Wicker performed as expected rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

North Mahaska (3-4, 2-4) used its tandem quarterback team of Asher DeBoef and Ryan Groom. The Warhawks were held to 100 yards in offense, a fourth of that came with reserves in at the end of the game. The Groom brothers, Ryan and Aydan each had 20 yards rushing. R. Groom hooked up with DeBoef for the Warhawks’ lone touchdown on an 18-yard strike.

Coach Trey Bennett said it was just a tough night.

“Whether they are ranked rt not they are a good football team and well-coached,” said Bennett. “That’s a top 10 team in the state.

“Take away a couple big plays for them and a couple missed chances on our part and we are in the game. We just did not execute.”

North Mahaska hoped to get the ball into the hands of Lucas Nunnikhoven and let me create opportunities. He had a 70-yard punt toward the end of the third quarter. After Madrid scored their final TD, he scampered the kickoff return to the Madrid 43, which led to DeBoef’s score.

“We just couldn’t get the ball to Lucas enough,” said Bennett. “They did good job covering him.”

North Mahaska will close out the season at home hosting North Tama (4-3, 4-2), who is the second place team in their district.

“We have a chance to finish .500 with a win,” said Bennett. “It would be the first time since 2009.”

That season the team went 8-2. The last time the Warhawks won four games was 2016 (4-5) and 2013 (4-6).