Sports : Union suffers first defeat at Central Clinton-DeWitt, 20-13

Compiled by: Cheyne Reiter

Union traveled to DeWitt Friday night in hopes of staying undefeated on their 2011 campaign but the Sabers had other plans. On homecoming night in DeWitt, the Sabers pulled the upset over Union and moved to 2-2 (2-0) on the year. Meanwhile, Union's record fell to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in district 5 play.

In last year's contest, the Knights won a 47-46 thriller in what many referred to as a 'track meet.' This years 2011 version looked no different from the first snap. Central Clinton-DeWitt started with possession of the ball and a 68-yard quarterback scamper on the first play of scrimmage by Chris Lubben put the Sabers on top only 18 seconds into the ballgame, 7-0.

Following that play, the state's leading rusher in Wes Burnside pulled up lame and did not see another snap for the rest of the night. The Knights faced a tall task as they were also without senior wideout Hunter Zempel after they lost him for the remainder of the season last week with an elbow injury. With two of their top offensive players now sidelined, Union relied heavily on backup halfback Mitchell Dierks, sophomore Jay Scheel at wideout, and Trev Hadachek at quarterback to lead the offense.

Union answered the Sabers first score with a long drive, highlighted by a big 3rd and long completion to Scheel. Dierks finished it off with a 1-yard touchdown run to knot the game at 7 all. It seemed as if fans would be in for another back and forth battle but both defenses stepped up big to slow the potent offenses.

Penalties and turnovers killed a couple Union drives and both teams headed to the locker room tied up 7-7.

Coming out of the locker room, DeWitt continued their smash mouth style of football and wore down the Union defense in the third quarter. After a Union three and out, DeWitt tore down the field with wingback Austin Lechtenberg finishing off the scoring drive with a 6-yard touchdown carry. Momentum was clearly in Dewitt's favor and the ensuing play ultimately sank the Knights.

An accidental onside was recovered by DeWitt and within a few plays, took advantage of the short field and scored on another Lechtenberg run, this time from four yards out. After the missed PAT, the Knights saw themselves trailing the Sabers 20-7 entering the fourth quarter.

Desperation set in for the Knights. Defensive stops were a must and the offense was searching for answers, trying to find any leak in the DeWitt defense. Midway through the fourth, Dierks busted loose for a 65-yard touchdown run but once again, a penalty resulted in the play being called back. Union moved Scheel to quarterback and placed Hadachek in the backfield in hopes of breaking off a big play; a quick score. Hadachek's first carry saw him shrug off several DeWitt tacklers as he burst down the Union sideline for 74 yards to the Sabers 1-yard line. Dierks added his second touchdown of the night two plays later and just like that the Knights were within striking distance. A blocked PAT made the score 20-13 with roughly five minutes to play.

Union stopped the DeWitt offense and got the ball back at their own 36-yard line in hopes of scoring the game tying touchdown. Scheel remained in at quarterback but the Knights were unable to move the chains and turned the ball over on downs. DeWitt successfully gained a first down which allowed them to run out the remaining seconds on the clock. The Sabers had knocked off the Knights 20-13 in front of a large crowd on Dewitt's homecoming night.

Dierks led the Union offense with 115 yards on the ground in his first start at halfback. Hadachek went 5 of 13 for 51 yards with two interceptions through the air. All five of Hadachek's completions went to Jay Scheel who stepped up big in Zempel's absence. The Knights potent offense was limited to 279 yards of total offense after eclipsing 400 yards in the previous two weeks. Defensively, Dylan McLaughin led the way with 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

The Union Knights 3-1 (1-1) travel to Anamosa 2-2 (0-2) next week. Varsity will start at 7:30 following the sophomore game at 5:15.