The Union Knights traveled to Gladbrook, IA to take on Class A #3 ranked Gladbrook-Reinbeck with many questions to be answered.
Who will be the QB? Who will replace the leading rusher and leading tackler? How will the offense line work together? Who is going
to step up on the Dline to replace three seniors? How will the kicking game be with a new kicker, punter, and snapper?
Nearly all those questions and more were answered as the defense dominated GR's offense for four quarters. The only score came when
GR ran back a kickoff return in the fourth quarter. The field conditions were tough and keeping the football dry was even tougher. Union
took the upper hand in the turnover department The revitalized defense created three turnovers, with one fumble recovery (Michael Ahrendsen)
and two interceptions (Brady Driscol and Isaiah Vaughan). Vaughan had the key turnover picking off a GR pass and returning it 73 yards inside the
GR five yard line which led to a Union touchdown. The defense was the hi-light for Union allowing only 81 total offense the entire game.
Led by Jace Hadachek with 11 total (8UA, 3AT) and two sacks the Knight team swarmed the GR offense all night long. Blake Havran and Dylan Bear
each had five tackles, while Justin Carey, Zane Seuser, and Dakota Hopper had four. Tate Hadachek and Michael Ahrendsen had three each and 11
other Knights were in on tackles.
Offensively, sophomore Isaiah Vaughan turned it on in the wet conditions and rushed for 135 yards in 20 carries and 2 TDs. John Boisen, another
sophomore started his first game at quarterback and was 3 of 9 for 17 yards. Brady Driscol had two of the three receptions for 14 yards and Dylan
Bear had the other.
Special teams was another untested entity Friday night. Justin Carey had a big punt return in the fourth quarter for 46 yards and a touchdown and
Will Reiter kicked off five times for a 45.8 average. Some breakdowns occurred on the PAT and punt units proved there are some areas to work on
in week two.
The Union Knights open up at home this Friday night vs. Center Point - Urbana. CPU is currently ranked #9 in the 2A poll by www.iowapreps.com..
