Members of the Union Knights football team pictured Friday, Sept. 25, in Jesus with the KnightHawk trophy. PHOTO COURTESY OF JASMINE GASTON/FACEBOOK

JESUP – For the second year running, Union took home the KnightHawk trophy by trouncing district foe the Jesup J-Hawks in Friday night gridiron action. After defeating the J-Hawks at home last year by nearly 40 points in the inaugural KnightHawk Showdown, Union shut out winless Jesup, 28-0, Friday, Sept. 25, while on the road.

A scoring summary for the game was not available in time for publication.

Against the J-Hawks, Union quarterback Stratton Luke carried a dozen times for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Garrett Kaalberg racked up 22 carries for 46 yards and Evan McMahon added two carries for 36 yards.

Luke was 10-for-19 passing for 100 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Brogan Ellis Schipper for the score. Jace Sorensen returned one punt for a touchdown. Kaalberg kicked all four extra points.

The entire Knights defensive line saw action, amassing 53.5 total tackles. Chase Johnson led with 10 tackles. Wesley Gaston had five tackles, while Holden Craft and Tallahn Miller had 4.5 stops apiece. Gavin Frederiksen added three solo tackles and an interception. Corbin Richards also had an interception.

The J-Hawks had 124 passing yards and rushed for 116 yards. The Jesup defense racked up 57 total tackles led by senior Braxtin Kavalier.

Union’s (3-2, 1-1) win over Jesup (0-5, 0-2) marks the program’s first Class 1A District 4 win this season.

Tonight, Friday, Oct. 2, the Knights will take on Hudson (3-2, 2-0) at home, observing Senior Night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Union Stadium in La Porte City. The Knights fell last year to the Pirates, 27-18.