PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRETA VOGELER/UNION COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

LA PORTE CITY – The Union Knights football team narrowly succumbed, 21-14, to district foe Columbus Catholic during last Friday’s Homecoming clash.

Neither the scoring summary nor Columbus Catholic’s statistics were available in time for publication.

Union senior Holden Craft, stepping in as quarterback for Stratton Luke, went for 5-of-7 passing for 63 yards and an interception, connecting with four receivers, including Gavin Frederiksen twice for 38 yards and Jase Loveless for a 17-yard gain.

Union rushed for 155 yards with Garrett Kaalberg leading the charge with 14 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown. Craft carried the ball 11 times for 37 yards and a touchdown. He also notched Union’s only 2-point conversion.

The Knights defense amassed 55 total tackles led by junior Chase Johnson with 8 tackles. Senior Gavin Frederiksen had 7.5, senior Brogan Ellis Schipper six, and senior Wesley Gaston 5.5. Craft and junior Tallahn Miller had five tackles apiece, while senior Jackson Youngblut was good for 3.5 tackles plus the Union’s lone sack. Youngblut also recovered one Sailor fumble. Ellis Schipper had an interception.

Following the game, Union dropped to 3-4 (1-3) on the season, while Columbus Catholic improved to 2-5 (2-2).

The Knights’ final regular season game is set for tonight, Friday, Oct. 16, against another Class 1A District 4 foe, Sumner-Fredericksburg (3-4, 2-2). Union defeated the Cougars last season, 36-12. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at the high school in Sumner.

Thank you to Greta Vogeler, Union yearbook advisor, for sharing Homecoming pep rally photos with the newspaper. The districtwide rally took place Friday afternoon in the high school gymnasium.