Union Knights Football Team

By Cheyne Reiter

The Union Knights pulled off the improbable.

A 39-24 victory over the 4-time defending state champion Solon Spartans sets up another home game for Union next Monday night.

Union jumped out to a 13-0 first quarter lead thanks to two forced turnovers (one int. and one fumble recovery). Burnside capitalized on the first turnover with a touchdown run before fullback Kyle Ansley got his number called for the second touchdown.

The Spartans stormed down the field on their next possession and capped it off with a touchdown run to bring the score to 13-7.

Following a Solon punt to the Union five yard line, Scheel connected with Hadachek and 95 yards later, the Knights found the score in their favor, 19-7.

Seconds before half, following a big goal line stand by Union, Solon kicked a field goal to make the score 19-10.

The Knights would add to their lead with three second half touchdowns, finally putting the game out of reach in the fourth quarter with the last score to make it 39-24. Fans stormed the field in celebration as Union pulled off the biggest win in Knight history.

The Knights advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in school history, moving their record to 9-2 overall. They will get a rematch with the 10-1 Maquoketa Cardinals who were 42-14 victors over 3A D6 No. 2 seed Grinnell.

In their previous district matchup, the Cardinals defeated a beat-up Knights squad on Union's homecoming night, 35-15. The Knights have reeled off five consecutive victories, most in convincing fashion, since that loss. With a full week to prepare for both coaching staffs, expect a very competitive game as the winner will advance to semifinals in the UNI-Dome.