Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley pulls away from Union in Class 2A championship

CEDAR FALLS – Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley had made a habit of starting slow and hitting its stride in the second quarter of games this season.

This time, it took a little longer, but the Nighthawks customary outburst still came.

Second-ranked BHRV scored 22 points in the third quarter and defeated No. 4 Union, 41-22, in the Class 2A championship Friday at the UNI-Dome.

'We just started making our plays,” BHRV quarterback Brett Moser said. 'We weren't quite making as many in the first half, but our line was giving me time and making holes for us. Our athletes were making plays.”

Moser was a key figure in the Nighthawks (12-1) attack, having his hand in each of their scores. He threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns, adding 37 yards and two scores on the ground.

In the crucial third quarter, he sandwiched a 4-yard TD run between a 72-yard TD to Shane Solberg and a 29-yard score to Jacob Schafer. The scoring run gave BHRV the lead for good.

Moser connected with Mitchell Diekevers and Alex Frick for touchdowns of 4 and 10 yards, respectively, leading to a 13-7 halftime lead.

'The quarterback is a special kid,” Union Coach Joe Hadachek said. 'You look at the size of him and I don't think we've seen a kid as big, strong and tall. A lot of guys were bouncing off of him.

'We've been a great tackling team this year but there were times it looked like we weren't tackling real well.”

The long pass to Solberg came after a critical late-hit penalty extended a drive that looked to be a three-and-out. The Nighthawks took advantage and captured the momentum, turning a six-point lead to a two-score affair.

'We capitalized on a mistake,” Moser said. 'That's what you have to do against a good team.”

Union (11-2) exploded out of the gate, needing just two plays and 33 seconds for a 7-0 lead. Isaiah Vaughan carried the ball both times, bolting for gains of 30 and 38 yards. The latter went for a touchdown with 11:18 to go in the first quarter.

'It was good but we knew they started slow,” Vaughan said. 'We just needed to keep the pedal on (the metal) but we couldn't keep it up.”

Vaughan's big-play ability breathed new life into the Knights after the break. On their first drive, Vaughan raced 57 yards for a score and pulled Union within 20-14. They felt they were in control again.

'A little but we couldn't get a drive stopped on defense,” Vaughan said. 'They just chewed up all the clock.”

The Knights struggled to move the ball except for Vaughan's long gains. They needed to control the ball more. BHRV owned a 15:14 edge in time of possession.

'We had a couple big plays and you don't win games just doing big plays,” Hadachek said. 'You have to have sustained drives. With as good as they are on offense, you've got to be able to eat the clock up a little bit. Unfortunately, we didn't get that part done today.”

The Knights failed to capitalize on a number of mistakes by the Nighthawks. They forced turnovers deep in BHRV territory twice in the first half – first at the 22 and the second a block punt recovered at the 40 with 48 seconds remaining.

The Knights missed a field goal and then fumbled inside the 5, which BHRV recovered and then ran out the first-half clock.

The Nighthawks fumbled six times but only lost two, while the Knights lost both of their fumbles.

'When they were covering the ball up when they fumbled, I credit that to them,” Hadachek said. 'They didn't give up on it. They went after it. Good for them. They are a great team.”

Vaughan rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his career with 4,793 yards, 74 touchdowns and 452 points. His last game may not have ended the way he wanted, but he realized the feat to be in the final.

'Not many can say they played in a state championship game, so it's awesome,” Vaughan said. 'It's an honor.”

Hadachek said the senior class left an imprint on the Knights program. Union made its second appearance at the UNI-Dome, moving to 3-1 all time there.

'It's a special group,” Hadachek said. 'Those boys have been in the weight room a lot of hours. They are multisport athletes.

'I'm proud of them of the way they've grown up to be men. They are going to be very successful when they leave the program.”

In 45 years of IHSAA football playoffs, BHRV Coach Cory Brandt made history in addition to leading the Nighthawks to their first championship. Brandt joined his father, Barry, as the first father-son combination to win state football titles. Barry Brandt guided Glidden-Ralston to the 1A title in 1975.

Cory Brandt said one of the plays he called was designed by his recently retired dad.

'I'm honored just to be mentioned with my dad,” Brandt said. 'That's special.”