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Knights charge to victory in HOCO win

Union starting quarterback Grant Behrens (13) is congratulated in the endzone by a teammate Friday night in La Porte after rushing in the first touchdown of the evening against the J-Hawks. The Knights beat the J-Hawks 40-0 for a resounding Homecoming win. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

The Union Knights charged their way to a Homecoming victory Friday night in a district win 40-0 over the Jesup J-Hawks.

The Knights’ record now sits at 2-3 including a season opener win against Aplington-Parkersburg on Aug. 27.

Starting quarterback Grant Behrens had a great night against the J-Hawks. After throwing a 45-yard pass to wide receiver Michael Niebergall with less than a minute left in the first quarter, Behrens ran it in himself on the following play for the Knights first touchdown of the night.

Behrens threw for 238 yards, connecting with five different receivers. Niebergall was the favorite target, pulling down six catches, including a 33-yard touchdown grab. Joren Fisher, Max Eikamp, Gibson Purdy and Logan Rosauer each had one reception apiece. Fisher’s only reception of the night was another long passing play, this time a 58-yard touchdown from Behrens.

Junior running back Tyler Wilson was the rushing leader for the Knights’ offense with 65 yards and a touchdown early in the second quarter. Following a 53-yard carry, Wilson ran it in on the next play to extend the Knights’ lead to 12-0.

The Knights offense warms up Friday night at Union Stadium in La Porte City ahead of their Homecoming match-up with the Jesup J-Hawks. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

Behrens logged 50 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown against the J-Hawks. Fisher did much of his work in short yardage situations, running four times for 16 yards and a touchdown. Niebergall also tallied a goal line rushing touchdown.

Sophomore Brock Ruzicka was steady on special teams, sinking three of his four PAT field goal attempts.

The Union defense was more than up to the challenge Friday night, sacking Jesup quarterback Parker McHone three times on top three more tackles for a loss.

Behrens led the defense with seven tackles, followed by junior Lance Moore with five and a sack. Gibson Purdy and Nolan Miehe each had 4.5 tackles. The other two sacks came from Eikamp and senior end Grant Brehm.

The Knights are on the road next week — heading to Oelwein on Oct. 1 for a district match-up with the Huskies (1-4).

Photo by Soren M. Peterson

The Huskies lone win (42-20) was also against the Jesup J-Hawks.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Oelwein High School.

Union wide receiver Michael Niebergall (5) fields a 45 yard reception late in the first quarter Friday night. Quarterback Grant Behrens would punch it in on the next play for the Knights’ first touchdown of the game against the Jesup J-Hawks. Photo by Soren M. Peterson