The Knights — including QB Grant Behrens (right) pictured warming up at Union Stadium in La Porte City recently — were on the road last week in Oelwein where they beat the Huskies 52-6 in district play and are now 3-3 for the season heading into a tough game this Friday against Class 2A No. 10 North Fayette Valley TigerHawks. Photo by Soren M. Peterson

The Union Knights blew out the Oelwein Huskies, 52-6, Friday night in spectacular Class 2A conference play on the road — giving the team an even record heading into their last two games of the season.

The Knights are now 3-3 having previously clocked wins against Jesup and Aplington-Parkersburg.

Coach Jared Pospisil was enthusiastic following the game.

“Our guys started well again, which has been something we’ve improved on over the season. Grant [Behrens] is developing into a complete passer, and best of all seems to perform well under all kinds of pressure.”

The Knights put up 27 points in just the first quarter, much of that due to starting quarterback Behrens’ impressive passing game — he threw for a whopping 370 yards Friday evening, connecting 16 out of 21 times with his receivers.

Behrens is now number nine in the state for passing yardage with 1,444 yards.

“All of our receivers this year have done a great job on their route-running and catching ability, which has aided in Grant’s success,” Coach Pospisil said.

Knights receivers contributing to Behrens’ stellar game Friday included seniors Michael Niebergall, Max Eikamp, and Gibson Purdy, junior Joren Fischer, and sophomore Logan Rosauer.

Behrens connected with Niebergall five times for 144 yards which led to two touchdowns and one long run of 54 yards, with Rosauer four times for 107 yards, with Eikamp four times for 76 yards, with Purdy twice for 43 yards, and Fischer once for no yards gained.

The Knights rushed for 173 yards total Friday evening. Niebergall led the rushing game, carrying the ball four times across 83 yards for three touchdowns. Behrens keepered the ball five times for 26 yards, Fischer carried four times for 27 yards and one touchdown, senior running back Caleb Scott carried three times for 23 yards and a touchdown, while junior running back Tyler Wilson carried three times for 15 yards.

Brock Ruzicka added one 25-yard field goal to the Knights score, while Behrens was good for two 2-point conversions Friday night.

The Knights defense locked in 58 tackles against the Huskies with 18 different players making an impact on the defensive line. Standouts included Scott with seven tackles (six solo), Behrens with 6.5 tackles (six solo), senior Dakota Marvets with 5.5 tackles (five solo), Fischer with 5.5 tackles (four solo), and Purdy with 4.5 tackles (four solo).

Rosauer recovered one of the Huskies fumbles, while Fischer and Scott picked up one interception apiece — Fischer’s snatch good for a seven yard gain.

The Knights will have a tough district game at home this week against Class 2A No. 10 (AP) North Fayette Valley TigerHawks who are 5-1 for the season with shutouts against South Winneshiek, Postville, and Jesup, and wins against Sumner-Fredericksburg 22-6 and Wahlert Catholic 50-33.

The TigerHawks’ single loss 21-48 was to Class 2A third-ranked (AP) Waukon.

“Our last two games — against North Fayette and Waukon — will test us greatly,” Coach Pospisil said, “but I like how our guys are gelling at this point of the season.”

Kickoff is at Union Stadium beginning at 7:30 p.m.