A picturesque moon set the scene Friday as Union and South Tama varsity football teams took the field for a preseason scrimmage. The Knights will be on a mission to break a 10-game losing streak that dates back to 2019. Photo Soren M. Peterson

Focus and intensity were in abundance Friday night as the Union Knights took the field for the first time this season in a preseason scrimmage against the South Tama Trojans.

With a nearly full moon and clear sky as the backdrop, the two teams got things started just after 7 p.m. at the Union High School field.

Union Football Head Coach Jared Pospisil liked what he saw following the Friday night scrimmage.

“I was very happy with our players’ intensity and focus Friday night. I really felt like our guys showed up to compete at their highest level,” Pospisil said in an email interview.

Pospisil, now in his third season with the Knights, is hoping his team can successfully transition that energy into the regular season and overcome their winless 2020-21 record.

The Union Knights football team queued behind the field at Union Stadium, La Porte City ahead of their preview match-up with the South Tama Trojans Friday, August 20, 2021. Photo Soren M. Peterson

Union worked on their passing game Friday, with quarterback Grant Behrens easily out-throwing his counterpart on the Trojans squad. On Union’s first offensive drive Behrens connected with Michael Niebergall for a deep pass that got a reaction out of the crowd.

Union is fielding a small squad of 21 players to start the year. Despite the lean roster, Pospisil is optimistic about their chances.

“We will have three or four sophomores up — Logan Rosauer, Brock Ruzicka, and Mathew Medina — who we believe can be impact players right away.”

But with such a small squad keeping players healthy will be key.

“…depth is always an issue. However, barring injuries, I feel good that the players who take the field on both sides of the ball are quality performers.”

Senior quarterback Grant Behrens works from the shotgun as the Knights took on South Tama in a preseason scrimmage on Aug. 20. Behrens was the only player to take a snap for the Knights last season and will be leaned on again to help power Union’s offense. Photo Darvin Graham

On offense, Pospisil says players to watch this year include quarterback Grant Behrens, wide receiver Michael Niebergall, tight ends Max Eikamp and Gibson Purdy, and linemen Grant Brehm and Dacoda Marvets.

Key defensive returners are Brehm and Marvets in the interior and defensive back Joren Fisher.

The Knights kick off their season Friday in a non-conference game against the Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons in Parkersburg beginning at 7 p.m.

Union will play equal games home and away this season with home games coming Sept. 3, Sept. 10, Sept. 24 (Homecoming) and Oct. 8.

Return of the Redhawks

Similar to Union, the North Tama Redhawks will be seeking improvement headed into their Class A regular season.

The Redhawks, who finished last year with a 2-6 record, play in District 3 and will face a pair of 2020 state qualifier teams in Grundy Center and Wapsie Valley. The Spartans have established themselves as a football powerhouse in recent years, finishing last season as the Class A runner up behind Regina Catholic. Wapsie Valley also succumbed to Regina Catholic in the state playoffs with their only other loss coming against South Winneshiek in the regular season.

Two schools in North Tama’s new district will be entering Class A after playing in different classes last season. AGWSR will step up from 8-Player to play in the 11-Player game in Class A and Hudson will come down from Class 1A.

With six district games set for the regular season, the Redhawks will have the opportunity to schedule two additional non-district games with potential for a third if the team doesn’t qualify for the playoffs.

The Redhawks list 25 players on their roster and will return several starters for second-year head coach Taylor Wurth to work with.

Senior quarterback Gabe Kopriva will again be at the helm of one of Class A’s most active passing games.

The Redhawks ranked in the top 10 in their class in passing attempts last year with Kopriva throwing for 1,284 yards and six touchdowns to go along with 420 rushing yards.

Other key returners include all-purpose back Devin McKinley, tight end Adam Greiner and linebackers Logan Rausch and Nathan Kucera.

North Tama traveled to North Linn last Friday for a preseason scrimmage and will open their regular season on the road against Belle Plaine Friday night. The Redhawks will be playing for some redemption Friday as they are on a four-game losing streak against the Plainsmen, dating back to 2013.

North Tama fans will have four opportunities to cheer on the Redhawks at Dennis Field this season with home games Sept. 3, Sept. 17 (Homecoming), Sept. 24 and Oct. 8.