Flowers, candles, and other tributes line the fence around and beneath senior Gavin Rohrbach’s football poster at Union Stadium last Friday, Sept. 20, ahead of the Knights’ District 6 game with Iowa Falls-Alden. Rohrbach, who wore jersey No. 12 for the Knights, lost his life in a car accident on Sept. 10. Many of those who attended the game for Union – including the entire Knights coaching staff – wore ‘12th man’ t-shirts in memory of Rohrbach, while the team sported No. 12 heart-shaped decals on the backs of their helmets. A moment of silence was observed for Rohrbach ahead of kickoff. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – The Union Knights returned to the gridiron last Friday for the first time since their teammate, senior Gavin Rohrbach lost his life in a car accident on Sept. 10. And while the Knights were ultimately defeated 14-7 by their District 6 foe Iowa Falls-Alden (1-3), they performed as best they could in Union Stadium under the circumstances.

“I am proud of our boys for showing up Friday night and playing hard,” Union head coach Jared Pospisil told the newspaper in an email following the game. “Even though many people would welcome a return to routine, I’d imagine many players’ – and, I would imagine, coaches’ – minds were on other things. But they showed up still, and gave it their best.”

After a team prayer huddle followed by a moment of silence observed throughout the stadium in memory of Rohrbach, the Union High School Band under the direction of Mike Bistline played both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Union’s fight song before the teams took the field.

The Cadets elected to punt first after Union lost the coin toss. Coach Pospisil’s first play of the game was a 10-man defensive formation which Iowa Falls-Alden’s head coach Eric Walkingstick ultimately declined the penalty for.

“I asked our seniors for some ideas of how we could honor Gavin during the game,” Pospisil explained. “They decided to take the field with 10 players, leaving a position open for Gavin, and take a delay of game. I am not sure if Coach Walkingstick actually knew about this, but he showed awesome understanding and thoughtfulness by declining the penalty.”

The Union Knights gather for a prayer ahead of kickoff on Friday, Sept. 20, in La Porte City. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

A little over halfway through the first quarter the game remained scoreless when, on fourth down, Knights junior wide receiver Cooper Spore fought hard to secure a 34-yard touchdown pass near the end zone from senior quarterback Andrew Sadler. Union’s supporters went wild as did Spore’s teammates who rallied around him in celebration. As he ran off the field, the first to congratulate him from the sidelines was senior wide receiver Justice Luke who was also part of the Sept. 10 car accident.

“Cooper showed outstanding concentration and sheer determination to fight that ball away from the defender,” Pospisil said. “That play was an exciting spark for the team.”

Following the touchdown, Sadler’s extra point was good, putting Union up 7-0. In the ensuing kickoff, Knights fans in unison called out “Fly, Eagle, Fly” in tribute to Rohrbach. Also in tribute, the Knights all sported No. 12 – Rohrbach’s jersey number – heart-shaped decals on the backs of their helmets.

The Cadets managed their first points of the game roughly four minutes into the second quarter with a carry by quarterback Cade Olberding on fourth and goal. The extra point was no good. Union ended the first half up 7-6.

While the third quarter remained scoreless, in the fourth, Iowa Falls-Alden hit pay dirt again on fourth and goal from the second yard line. With the two-point conversion good, the Cadets took control 14-7. Neither team scored again during the final seven minutes that remained.

Members of the Union Knights football team wore No. 12 heart-shaped decals on the backs of their helmets in memory of their fallen teammate Gavin Rohrbach who passed away in a car accident on Sept. 10. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Against the Cadets, Sadler led his team going 17-for-33 for 154 yards and one touchdown. He connected with six of his receivers including junior Caden Sorensen eight times for 50 yards, senior Justice Luke three times for 14 yards, Spore twice for 41 yards and a 34-yard touchdown, sophomore Stratton Luke twice for 34 yards, and juniors Mays Weber and Kolton O’Connor once apiece.

Luke was the Knights rushing leader against the Cadets, carrying the ball seven times for 48 yards, accounting for nearly 80% of Union’s rushing game. After lining up for the initial 10-man play, Luke sat out all but the last 50 seconds of the first half before playing in the second half.

On defense, Sorensen led the Knights with seven total tackles (five solo).

After forfeiting their Week 3 game on Friday, Sept. 13 to West Delaware, getting back on the field Friday without Rohrbach – in what was scheduled to be Union’s Homecoming but has been delayed to Oct. 4 – was certainly not easy for the players.

“This [past] week was different. It goes without saying that there was a lot more on everyone’s mind other than football,” Pospisil said. “We did not practice Wednesday (Sept. 18) because we wanted to to pay our respects to Gavin and his family, and it was important to give everyone time to both grief for and celebrate the life of Gavin.”

Knights junior wide receiver Cooper Spore, right, fights hard to secure a 34-yard touchdown pass near the end zone on Friday, Sept. 20 in La Porte City. Spore was successful in his efforts, notching Union's only TD of the evening against Iowa Falls-Alden. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Rohrbach’s obituary, published in last week’s edition of the newspaper, touched on his affinity for sports including football.

“Gavin loved playing sports and was dedicated to each team he was on,” his obituary reads. “He was coachable with a good work ethic and would both play hard on the field/court and be cheering big from the sidelines. … He was a cherished son, a devoted big brother and a dependable friend everyone would be lucky to have.”

In his email to the newspaper, Pospisil called Rohrbach – who was not a starter but truly loved both the game and being part of the team – “a selfless player.”

“He worked hard on the field and in the weightroom. He was a good teammate to all.”

Knights on the road

The Union Knights football team heads off the field following the National Anthem on Friday, Sept. 20, at Union Stadium. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Tonight, Friday, Sept. 27, Union (1-3) is on the road to face undefeated PCM (0-4) in another 2A District 6 matchup. The top-ranked Mustangs have outscored their opponents this season by a combined 163 points.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the high school in Monroe.

It is Homecoming for the Mustangs.

Knights quarterback Andrew Sadler looks for a passing lane. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Junior Caden Sorensen rushes with the ball against the Cadets last Friday at Union Stadium. Sorensen fielded the ball eight times that evening for a combined 50 yards PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Knights sophomore Stratton Luke runs with the ball on Friday, Sept. 20, during Union's District 6 matchup with Iowa Falls-Alden. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TOUCHDOWN UNION! PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Members of the Union High School Band play the National Anthem ahead of the Knights v. Cadets football game at Union Stadium in La Porte City on Sept. 20. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER