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'Inside the Huddle' - Knights Sink Sailors, Roll into Postseason with 50-0 Victory

(**photos courtesy of The Progress Review, LPC)

POWs for Waterloo Columbus game:
Special Teams - KOR unit
Defense - DE Tanner Heckt, LB Will Crees
Offense - TE Brian Dunkelberger, OC Tedd Schmitz

By Cheyne Reiter

An opening kickoff miscue by the Waterloo Columbus Sailors 0-9 (0-6) was the only scoring the Union Knights 8-1 (6-0) would need in a fifty point shutout.

The Sailors miscue resulted in a safety and just seconds into the game, a 2-0 Union lead. The ensuing punt on the kickoff was housed 78 yards by Justin Carey and just 17 seconds into the game, the Knights led 9-0.

Union added another first quarter touchdown as Trev Hadachek found Jay Scheel from eight yards out.

The rout was on as the Knights scored three second quarter touchdowns thanks to Scheel's arm, legs, and a defensive score. A 53-yard touchdown jaunt by Scheel provided the first score and Will Crees intercepted a Sailors pass, returning it 14 yards for another touchdown. Before the half came to a close, Scheel connected with Brady Petersen for a 21-yard touchdown and cruised into halftime with a 36-0 lead.

With the continuous clock in effect for the entire second half, the Knights showed no signs of letting up.

Justin Carey took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a score, breaking the previous Union record of 95 yards by Zach Purdy. Scheel threw his second TD pass of the game to tight end Brian Dunkelberger to complete the scoring for the remainder of the game.

The offense, defense, and special teams were equally impressive on Friday night. Scheel had a hand in four Union scores offensively, the defense forced four turnovers and totaled seven sacks, and special teams recorded a safety, in addition to the two kickoff returns for scores.

Union's victory completes their undefeated run in district play and also extends their winning streak to eight games.

The No. 1 seeded Knights take on the No. 4 seed from 2A District 4, Mt. Vernon, at 7 p.m Wednesday night in La Porte City. The two teams have two common opponents this season: Cascade and Center Point-Urbana. The Knights won 45-14 over Cascade and lost 45-42 to CP-U in week one while Mt. Vernon lost to 40-7 to Cascade and suffered a one-point defeat to CP-U, 22-21, in the final game of the regular season.

The winner of Wednesday's game takes on the winner of CP-U and Waukon.