The Union Knights won on the road at Decorah in a battle of non-district 3A teams.

Union fell behind 13-0 and benefiting from a blocked PAT. Decorah erupted for two quick scores in the first quarter with a two yard run and a 68 yd run.
The Knight defense stiffened in the second quarter and the offense took advantage of an assisted punt block by junior Reid Monroe to score the first TD on a 7 yard scamper by pre-season all state running back Wesley Burnside. The Knight defense did a great job on the next possession and the offense took advantage by scoring the second TD of the 2nd quarter with sophomore Trev Hadachek hitting Monroe on a 10 yard pass. After Monroe made both PAT attempts, Union led 14-13 at the half.

Union came out on fire in the third quarter and scored two more TDs created by great defense and special teams coverage. The first TD of the third quarter was Brad Siebel catching a long pass from Hadachek (39 yards) and the second TD by Burnside running behind Brad Gallup, Zach Bathen, and Josh Clark. After the Knights led 28-13, Decorah came up with a big turnover preventing Union from scoring again inside the red zone. The Vikings scored on a long run making the score 28-20.

The Knights offense controlled the clock the end of the fourth quarter and scored with a 6 yard run by Hadachek. After a Monroe PAT, the final score was 35-20.

Offensively Burnside dominated the ground game with 228 yards in 31 carries and two TDs. Hadachek connected with five different receivers with Monroe and Siebel having touchdown catches. He also had a rushing TD.

Defensively the Knights were led by pre-season all state LBer, Blake Clark, with 13 tackles followed by Dylan McLaughlin, Wes Burnside, Brad Siebel, Josh Clark, and Brad Gallup all with 5. The Union defense had 8 tackles for loss during the game. TJ Gray and Hunter Zempel both had fumble recoveries.

Next Friday the Knights take on Independence at Dysart at 7:30pm in non-district action. Independence is coming off a big win versus Waterloo Columbus. The game at UMS field honors all senior citizens.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

DEFENSE: Hunter Zempel, 89% grade efficiency and great pass coverage
Blake Clark, 87% grade efficiency, 13 tackles, 9 UT, 4 AT

SPECIAL TEAMS: Reid Monroe, 5 of 5 PATS, assisted on blocked punt, punted for good field position

OFFENSE: Wes Burnside, 88% grade efficiency, 228 yds, 2 TDs, 31 carries, 7.45 yds/carry, 84 yards after contact
Matt Schmitz and Zach Bathen for helping create 35 points and 421 yards of total offense

OFFENSIVE SCOUT TEAM: Shay Fehl
DEFENSIVE SCOUT TEAM: Max Rotzler