Union Knights Football Team

Homecoming was held at UMS field in Dysart as the final preparations are being made for the new football field behind the high school in La Porte City. This home away from home has been great for the Union Knights as they jumped to (5-0) on the season and (3-0 ) in District 5 3A with a win over Anamosa 69-0.

The defense set the tone for the entire game with dominance over the Blue Raiders. Anamosa produce only 11 yards of total offense and one net yard rushing the ball in 35 attempts. There were only two first downs for the Blue Raiders and 15 tackles for loss. The Union defense also created two turnovers, one fumble and one interception. Leading the way in the tackling department was sophomore Will Crees (10T, 5UT, 5AT, 1.5TFL), junior Cole Hinders (8T, 4UT, 4AT, 3TFL), and senior Matt Schmitz (6T, 4UT, 2AT, 3TFL). Josh Clark, Dylan McLaughlin, and Chase Kruckemeyer each had four tackles. Senior Max Rotzler picked off Anamosa and rumbled for 10 yards before being tackled in the second half.

The special team units helped secure a homecoming victory with several big plays. The punt block/return unit lead the way with one punt block and one missed snap, both for TDs. The Knights scored when Brad Siebel recovered the ball in the end zone and a two point conversion allowed Union to go up 8-0. Trev Hadachek (3 of 4, 72 yds, 2 TD) then connected with Cole Hinderson a 30 yard strike to go up 15-0 after Reid Monroe's PAT. Brad Gallup scored after receiving a 26 yard pass from Hadachek and immediately followed up with a punt block, scoop and score for TD. The leading rusher in the state of Iowa, Wes Burnside (15 rushes, 224 yds, 4 TDs), scored on two consecutive runs from 1 and 51 yards out. Hadachek (2 rushes, 27 yds, 1TD) scored on a 8 yard romp and Burnside finished out the second quarter with a 24 yard scamper and after the PATs, the Knights commanded a 56-0 lead into halftime.

After receiving the football, Burnside scored on his final play of the night from 10 yards out and after a Monroe PAT the Knights led 63-0. Sophomore Mitchell Dierks, who backs up Burnside, scored on a 14 yard run in the fourth quarter. A miscue on the PAT unit, made the final score Union 69, Anamosa 0.

The Knights travel to Maquoketa (4-1)this Friday to continue District 5 play. The sophomore game starts at 5:15pm and the varsity game kickoff at 7:30pm.