Union Knights Football Team

UNION Players of the Week:
Offense:
LINE - Justin Clark, sr. guard opened holes for running game and solid pass protection
BACKS - Trev Hadachek and Jay Scheel combined for big nights through ground and air

Defense:
LINE - Dalton Crosser, sr. played solid run defense for four quarters
BACK - Cole Reiter, jr. in his first varsity start, graded out at 84%

Special Teams:
KO returner Marcelo Hernandez
Return blocker Jace Hadachek

Offensive Scout POW: Christian Gray
Defensive Scout POW: Bo Bader

'Inside the Huddle' - Center Point-Urbana stuns Union with last-second field goal, 45-42
By: Cheyne Reiter

2011 is history. The 3A State Champions banner hangs high in the Union gymnasium, proudly displaying the Knights' accomplishments from last season. The mentality the Stormin' Pointers brought to Union Friday night was just that; that was all "last season."

As we've moved to 2012, the Knights have carried plenty of hype in the nine month offseason. The drop from 3A to 2A had outsiders crowning Union as the early favorites to repeat as state champions; Union was ranked near the top of Class 2A in nearly every poll. CP-U had something to say about that.

The Stormin' Pointers shocked the Knights Friday night in what has become a tradition from Union, at least once a year -- the game turned into a track meet. The track meet ended with CP-U kicker Brayton Brandt drilling a 32-yard field goal as time expired to seal the victory.

CP-U, 45. Union, 42.

With blazing speed all over the field in Union's Jay Scheel and Trev Hadachek, as well as CP-U's wide receiver Josh Jirak, scoring was aplenty.

In the first quarter alone, the two teams combined for 28 points, highlighted by a 65-yard touchdown reception by CP-U's Jirak as well as a 38-yard touchdown scramble by Scheel that knotted the game at 14-all.

While the first quarter was a shootout, the second was not. Union took a 21-14 lead into halftime following a 5-yard touchdown carry by halfback Trev Hadachek.

Last season, Knights fans saw Union usually put away teams in the second half, in large part due to the adjustments made at halftime. However, that wasn't the case Friday night. CP-U managed to outscore Union 14-7 in the third quarter on a 21-yard QB keeper by Ryan Wilken and also on a short 2-yard run by halfback Brandon Roseberry, his second TD of the night. Hadachek had the lone touchdown in the third as the teams headed to quarter four knotted up 28-28.

In the fourth, the teams traded two touchdowns. The Knights had the lead on two different occasions but CP-U always answered. The biggest answer came with under five minutes remaining as Jirak took a bubble screen 65 yards to the house to tie the game at 42. Union Head Coach Joe Hadachek believed those answers contributed to the Knights defeat.

"Every time they answered us with a touchdown of their own, they gained a new level of confidence," said Hadachek.

The Knights came out with their two-minute offense but went 3-and-out. CP-U set up their game winning field goal with a long pass deep into Union terrority and allowed Brandt to finish off Union.

"Obviously, we have some miscues that need to be ironed out before next week," said Coach Hadachek. "We need to block and tackle better. I'll give us credit, we never quit, but we'd like to avoid these types of shootout games."

Union was led by QB Jay Scheel who accumulated three total touchdowns, 244 yards rushing, in addition to 8-12 passing for 100 yards. In his first-ever start at halfback, Trev Hadachek piled up 153 yards along with 29 yards receiving. He also was a part of three Knight touchdowns. Although these two had great games from a statistical standpoint, Coach Hadachek is searching for that third option.

"Someone is going to have to step up. We're not sure who it will be, but we need someone who can relieve the stress on Jay and Trev."

Next week, the Knights 0-1 (0-0) take on Aplington-Parkersburg 1-0 (0-0) in Parkersburg, a game that will carry plenty of hype with it due to Union's connection with A-P in recent history. Coach Hadachek is well aware that it won't be easy.

"They have a reputation of running the football effectively. Turnovers and special teams are going to be the two most important factors, along with fundamental tackling."