Hadacheks share special bond through football

CEDAR FALLS – It's a relationship based on love, faith and respect, but enhanced by football.

Union Community junior Trev Hadachek and Knights' head football coach Joe Hadachek share a strong bond, balancing the roles of father/son and coach/player while helping Union reach the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A state championship game.

The Knights (11-2) will play Decorah (11-2) in the finals Saturday at 4:05 p.m., qualifying with a 42-28 semifinal win over third-ranked ADM.

The younger Hadachek walked off the field in the waning moments of a performance where he had 117 receiving yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and told his coach and father that he loved him.

“He congratulated me,” Trev Hadachek said. “I can't even describe the feeling.”

The sentiments were reciprocated, as they both enjoyed the sense of accomplishment ushering in the school's first state title game in its fifth playoff appearance.

“I just told him I love him,” Joe Hadachek said. “He said we did it, and I said ‘Yep, we did it.'

“It's been a goal since these guys have been youngsters to play here and play for a championship.”

The goal to be like his father was formed much earlier. Trev Hadachek's first and fondest football memories was following his dad to practices and accompanying him on bus trips while he coached at Buena Vista University (1996-99). Trev aspired to be a college football player.

“I went with my dad to everything. I rode the busses to everything,” said Trev Hadachek, who was born while Joe was an assistant football coach at Drake University. “I wanted to be just like him.”

Joe Hadachek recalls a young boy, who mimicked the Beaver players, asking for the same tape jobs they received before practices.

“Most importantly he hung out with the trainers,” Joe Hadachek said. “That was a special four years for me.

“Football is a special relationship between us. He knows just as much as I do, I'll be honest with you.”

The corporate world pulled Joe Hadachek away from coaching until the family moved to Dysart and he began a padded youth football league, which is where many of the current players started. The elder Hadachek watched his son grow first-hand as a football player and a person, but he has played a key role in Trev's success.

“As soon as I started playing padded football he's been my teacher,” Trev Hadachek said. “He's helped me through the process. He knows what I want and he's pushing me the whole time. He's the reason we're here right now. I give all the credit to him. He's a great coach.”

Just like any relationship between a parent and teenager, they have conflicts. They aren't numerous and they don't last long. Occasionally, those disagreements revolve around football.

“There's time when we'll argue at home behind closed doors about certain things,” Joe Hadachek said. “I just tell him there's one head coach and you lose. If you want to be a head coach some day, which he does, then you call your plays.”

Football may be a dominant topic between the two, but both were quick to mention the faith the share. Spirituality and life replace X's and O's in their conversations.

“We go to church on Sundays,” Trev Hadachek said. “We talk about life and everything.”

That may be the biggest and most gratifying influence by his dad, who Trev Hadachek calls a great role model.

“I believe in leading by example and putting faith first,” Joe Hadachek said. “I think it's special that my son, Trev, is trying to follow that same example. I'm proud of him for that.

“I expect my son to be the ultimate leader. He has done that to this point.”

He has been a strong leader for the Knights. Trev Hadachek has thrown for 348 yards, rushed for 411 and hauled in a team-high 41 passes for 653 yards.

After suffering a second-degree shoulder separation, Trev Hadachek switched positions with Jay Scheel, moving from quarterback to receiver. Union picked up steam after the change. Through injuries, special achievements and position changes, Joe Hadachek said keeping his roles as father and coach separate hasn't been difficult.

“A lot of people would say it would be,” said Joe Hadachek, whose son, Tate, is a freshman. “It's been the best thing in the world. My two boys and daughter all love sports at Union Community schools and it's not been a difficult thing.”

The Knights will face a difficult task Saturday, attempting to end with season with bookend wins against the Vikings. Union beat Decorah, 20-17, in Week 1. Father and son had similar things to say about the next foe.

“They play great defense and have great team speed," Joe Hadachek said. "Coach (Bill) Post does a super job and I've got all the respect in the world for their program.”

No matter what the outcome is Saturday. Trev Hadachek will take the advice of former Union Athletics Director Aaron Thomas, who played for his father, the late Aplington-Parkersburg Hall of Fame Coach Ed Thomas.

"He talked to me about that," Trev Hadachek said. "It's just a great feeling. Not toom many people get to experience this, so I'm going to soak it in. Grasp it and take everything in."