Union Knights Football Team

John Naughton, Des Moines Register preview for 2A
courtesy of the Des Moines Register

CLASS 2-A PREVIEW
The class is different, but the goal remains the same for Union of LaPorte City ? bring back another title trophy.

The school went 12-2 last year while winning the Class 3-A state championship. Realignment dropped the team into 2-A.

Among the returning players are all-staters Josh Clark, a defensive lineman, and Trev Hadachek, a defensive back.

Quarterback Jay Scheel is drawing the eye of college recruiters. The junior has already received scholarship offers from Iowa and Nebraska.

Hadachek, a senior who also plays wide receiver, has been earning offers from Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) programs. He had 53 tackles and three interceptions on defense along with 44 receptions for 684 yards and six touchdowns.

Clark took fourth in the state wrestling meet last season.

Eleven starters return from last season?s team, along with six other letterwinners.

The team has 22 seniors that have been playing football together since they were in the third grade. That will give Union strong leadership on and off the field, coach Joe Hadachek said.

Among the graduation losses was all-state running back Wes Burnside. He rushed for 1,993 yards and 30 touchdowns. Scheel, who ran for 548 yards, is the leading returning rusher.

Rankings

Team, 2011 record

1. Union (LaPorte City) 12-2

2. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley 11-1

3. Mediapolis 11-1

4. Spirit Lake 13-1

5. West Marshall 12-1

6. Sheldon 6-4

7. South Central Calhoun 9-2

8. Cascade 5-5

9. Carroll Kuemper 10-2

10. Bondurant-Farrar 4-6