Madrid took advantage of five North Mahaska turnovers and a strong rushing game to end the Warhawks’ season with a 49-8 Class 1A victory. Madrid advances to the playoffs with a 6-2 mark while North Mahaska finishes with a 2-6 mark.
Madrid was able to get going early taking advantage of an NM fumble. Nash Ramirez, who would finish the night with 123 yards and four touchdowns, scored to take the lead 7-0. North Mahaska’s next drive stalled at the Madrid 4-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage Preston Wicker broke away for a 96-yard gallop, but came back on a block in the back, but moved the ball to the North Mahaska 45. Two plays later Ramirez found the end zone again.
The only facet of Madrid’s game that was not going well was the penalty bug. The Tigers were whistled for 55 yards in the first quarter. A continuous clock greeted the Warhawks in the second half and Madrid added two more scores for a 49-0 lead.
North Mahaska scored in the fourth period when sophomore quarterback Lucas Nunnikhoven scored on a quarterback sneak that went for 44 yards to end Madrid’s shutout bid.
Nunnikhoven went 4-for-9 passing for 60 yards and two interceptions. He carried the ball three times for 45 yards, most of that coming on his touchdown scamper. Another sophomore, Kaleb Stout, led the Warhawk rushing attack with 65 yards on 24 carries. He added the 2-point conversion following Nunnikhoven’s touchdown. Senior P.J.Stout led the team’s receiving with two catches for 46 yards and sophomore Joel DeJong caught two for 14.
Senior Ashton Meland led the defense with four tackles. Nunnikhoven, Hunter Wernli and P.J. Stout each recorded three tackles. Stout recovered a Madrid fumble.
The contest was the final game for seniors Paul DeJong, Brady Blommers, P.J. Stout, Wyatt Van Weelden, Ashton Meland, Trace Goemaat and Michael Schippers.