Union Knights Football Team

The Union Knights won a decisive 40-0 game at LPC vs #7 ranked 3A opponent Maquoketa. The Union defense stepped up to another level Friday night at La Porte City on a rain soaked field in a game that determined who would get the #2 seed in 3A District 4.

Defensively, the #7 ranked Cardinals were held to 3 first downs the entire night before the very last drive of the game and less than 100 yards of total offense. The Knight defense recorded 11 tackles for loss and also one big interception on a middle screen by senior captain Matt Gross. Tackle leaders for the Knights included: Josh Dunkelberger (10T, 5UT, 5AT, 1TFL), Blake Clark (8T, 5UT, 3AT, 1.5 TFL), Austin Bunz (7T, 5UT, 2AT, 2 TFL), and Matt Schmitz (6T, 3UT, 3AT, 2TFL). Also with tackles for loss were Matt Gross (1), TJ Gray (2), Cory Feldpouch (.5), Zach Purdy (1), and Zach Bathen (1). Secondary play by Jared Wauters, Damon Powell, Justin Macal, and Bradly Siebel held the Cardinal spread attack in check with only 9 completions in 29 attempts for 131 yards.

Special teams played a key role in field position all night long with superior kickoff and punt coverage by the Union Knights. Steven McGarvey had 7 kickoffs for 350 yards and a 50 yard average. McGarvey also had several key punts while jockeying for field position early in the first half. Zach Purdy had the lone kickoff return for a 32 yard scamper.

Offensively, after a scoreless first quarter, the Union run game erupted after a tremendous catch by Austin Bunz (2 rec, 109 yds, 1TD) from a Steven McGarvey (9 of 15, 174 yds, 2TDs) pass. McGarvey ran 8 yards for the first Knight TD and added the PAT. Sophomore Wes Burnside (18 att, 196 yds, 2 TDs) then picked up the run game and bolted 65 yards for his first TD of the night, 14-0 after the PAT. At the very end of the first quarter Gross had the interception for TD but Union missed the PAT, 20-0. In the second half Burnside ripped a 60 yard run for a TD behind Cole Johnson, Gray, Gross, Reece Ewoldt, Bathen, and Bunz. With the score 27-0, the final two scores came through the air as McGarvey connected with Wauters for a 13 yard TD, followed by a 65 yard pass to Bunz for a TD. Final score Union 40, Maquoketa 0.

The Knights finished second in 3A district 4 behind Marion. Union has now earned a home seed vs Oelwein (#3 seed 3A District 3) on Wednesday night at 7pm. You can see the official 3A brackets by going under HANDOUTS and clicking on 3A playoffs 2009. Keep checking back for up to date information.

Order your playoff T shirts now by downloading and printing off the form under the left menu, HANDOUTS. There are T shirt options (Champion) and also Badger moisture management options (long and short sleeve). Get your gear and support the Knights with the home field advantage.

Special thanks to all the people, fans, city of LPC, our administrators, getting the field game ready under tough circumstances.

Coach Hadachek, Staff and Team