The Union football team returns seven starters (RS) this season, as well as four “other promising letter winners” (LW) from 2025-26, per head coach Jared Pospisil. Knights pictured are, front row: (from left) Brogan Ellis-Schipper (LW), Michael Reel (LW), Chase Johnson (LW), and quarterback Stratton Luke (RS); back row: (from left) Hunter Sundwall (RS), Jase Loveless (RS), Holden Craft (RS), Gavin Frederiksen (LW), Garrett Kaalberg (RS), and Tallahn Miller (RS). Not pictured, Jackson Youngblut (RS). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

LA PORTE CITY – After graduating a dozen seniors last year, including starting quarterback Caden Sorensen, the Union Knights football team is in a slight rebuilding year offensively, but that doesn’t mean the Knights won’t be competitive in their Class 1A District 4 pool.

“There is so much parity in 1A District 4,” Union head coach Jared Pospisil, now in his eighth year at the helm, said of the 2026-27 season. “It will be a tight, hard-fought race. The fact that each team in District 4 is also in the North Iowa Cedar League Conference adds an extra level of rivalry, as well.”

In addition to Union, which finished third in the district last season with a 3-2 (6-3) record, the district includes Aplington-Parkersburg, Columbus Catholic, Hudson, Jesup, and Sumner-Fredericksburg. In 2025-26, the Knights recorded district wins over A-P, Jesup, and Sumner-Fred. They also notched non-district wins over New Hampton, South Tama, and Oelwein. Union’s two district losses – Columbus Catholic and Hudson – were narrow, with the Knights giving up just 16 points total.

Replacing Sorensen under center this season for the Knights is senior Stratton Luke, a second-team all-district pick last year and state track qualifier. Additional returning starters include seniors Holden Craft (tight end), Jackson Youngblut (defensive line), and Garrett Kaalberg (running back) – all three earned first-team all-district honors last season.

Senior starters Hunter Sundwall (offensive/defensive lines) and Jase Loveless (wide receiver) are also returning.

Union Knights quarterback Stratton Luke.

“Though we graduated a large, talented senior class from 2025, several seniors of 2026 played a huge part in our success last year,” Pospisil said before naming Youngblut and Luke at defensive line and defensive back, respectively. “Garrett Kaalberg led the rushing attack on offense, and Holden Craft impacted games on both sides of the ball.”

Pospisil also pointed to seniors Jase Loveless, Michael Reel and Evan McMahon as players who have assumed larger leadership and production roles this season.

Juniors Tallahn Miller and Chase Johnson “will be impactful players for us also,” Pospisil added.

The Knights open the season tonight, Friday, Aug. 28, at home in a non-district clash with New Hampton. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Union Stadium in La Porte City.

Go Knights!

Knights 2026-27 schedule

Friday, Aug 28 v. New Hampton, 7 p.m. (Home)

Friday, Sept. 4 at South Tama, 7:30 p.m. (Away)

Friday, Sept. 11 v. Oelwein, 7 p.m. (Home)

Friday, Sept. 18 at A-P, 7 p.m. (Away-Homecoming)

Friday, Sept. 25 at Jesup, 7 p.m. (Away)

Friday, Oct. 2 v. Hudson, 7 p.m. (Home-Senior Night)

Friday, Oct. 9 v. Columbus Catholic, 7 p.m. (Homecoming)

Friday, Oct. 16 at Sumner-Fred, 7 p.m. (Away)