Too many penalties and too many turnovers spelled doom for the North Mahaska Warhawks Friday. North Mahaska’s defense inflicted damage on host Martensdale-St. Marys thwarting several scoring attempts but, in the end MSM won 22-14.
Martensdale-St. Marys recovered two fumbles and picked off two passes and racked up 346 yards in offense to score the victory. North Mahaska, 1-3, held the Blue Devils scoreless in the second half, but could not move the ball into the end zone to tie or win.
MSM took the lead at 8-0 with 7 minutes 40 seconds to play in the first period on a 57-yard pass play. North Mahaska was unable to move past the MSM 40 and punted. As the second quarter commenced the Blue Devils were moving down the field by the Warhawks’ Lucas Nunnikhoven intercepted Cooper Oberbroeking in the end zone and returned the ball to the NM 19-yard line.
The Warhawks methodically moved the ball down the field and Kaleb Stout pounded the ball in for the score. Nunnikhoven’s kick closed the game to 8-7. With 4 minutes to play in the half the Blue Devils hooked up for another score to double up NM 14-7. On the Warhawks’ ensuing possession Nunnikhoven was picked off and led to the Blue Devils’ final score.
Gage Vande Voort put NM in position for a score when he stripped the ball and advanced it to the NM 31- yard line. Five plays later Nunnikhoven slipped through the MSM defense and rolled 59 yards for the score to close the game to 22-14.
NM had a touchdown wiped out by a holding penalty that would have potentially tied the game. NM was whistled for eight penalties for 65 yards.
Unofficially, North Mahaska rushed for 87 yards and passed for 90. Nunnikhoven had 50 yards rushing and Hunter Wernli led receiving with 46 yards.
North Mahaska will host Mount Ayr in the Warhawks’ homecoming game Friday.