Union Knights Football Team

November 15, 2009

Dear Union Knight Football Team, Parents, and Boosters:

First of all thanks for all the fan support from parents, family, and friends. The 2009 season was a fun and exciting ride for the Union Knights! There are so many things to celebrate it is very hard to put into words. The season actually began as soon as the 2008 season was over with a key group of champions wanting to get into the weight room. There is price paid for success and it is a road less traveled. All the time with weight-lifting, running technique, agilities, and plyometrics definitely showed up strong this season. In addition, the summer work with 7 on 7, skill drill sessions, and the line camp at Illinois Wesleyan also gave our young men time to work together and develop.

We know you made many sacrifices to allow your son to play the greatest team sport on earth – football! We hope you keep this collection of articles, records, and accomplishments of the 2009 team. You can be proud of the accomplishments on the field but more importantly the attitude and actions of what it takes to be a "champion" off the field. Whether your son volunteered his time during homecoming week in the elementary schools, helped out athletes at the Special Olympics at UNI, visited the nursing homes in Dysart or LPC, coached at one of our youth football camps, was honored with academic all-district, shared at F.C.A., was part of a float during festivities in Dysart or LPC, or signed a poster or football, all the "little" things matter. Our high school players are role models for our elementary children in addition to our middle school students. We do not take this responsibility lightly.

This is our second consecutive season in Class 3A, District 4 and also our second consecutive season with opportunities to participate in post season play. “Find a Way or Make a Way” was our team motto this year. This can be defined as replacing a great senior class, fighting with all your might against opponents with much larger enrollments, and more importantly using the experiences of the football field to find a way or make a way to overcome all the adversity that life throws in your path. We could go on and on but the clear fact is our players represent Union first class and play with giant hearts.

In summary, the Knights varsity team finished (8-3) overall with a (5-2) 3A District 4 record. We started the season with a dominating victory in Dysart over Webster City (50-13) and end the regular season with convincing win over highly ranked Maquoketa (40-0) at La Porte City. The final win pole vaulted us into the first home field post season football game in Union history. The win over Oelwein allowed the Knights to receive a state banner and move on to New Hampton to face another top 10 ranked team. As the final seconds ticked off the clock we lost that game (29-22) but we did not lose the battle. The battle to get to the UNI Dome took another step and a solid foundation with high expectations is now in place. You are all champions!

God Bless,

Joe Hadachek