Class 2A No. 1 Waukon rolls over No. 9 Union

WAUKON – Going into last night, a game featuring two top-ten Class 2A teams figured to be a great matchup.

That was until Parker Hesse and the No. 1 Waukon Indians rolled over the No. 9 Union Knights, 35-0.

'We just have some outstanding athletes,' Waukon Coach Chad Beerman said. 'And when you combine athleticism with knowledge, they were able to make some plays. Our kids, they lost a big one to (Union), and they wanted to take it back this year, I guess.'

And take it back, they did.

Waukon (6-0) gashed Union (4-2) on the run, to the tune of 300 total yards rushing – 142 of which from Hesse.

The senior quarterback/defensive end averaged more than 10 yards per rush, and scored twice on the ground. He also was efficient through the air, going 5 of 7 for 70 yards and another touchdown.

Hesse wasn't just active on the offense, either. He also snagged an interception in the second half off Union quarterback and Iowa commit Jay Scheel and returned it for a touchdown – one that put the game out of reach.

'This was his best offensive performance, certainly, and I thought he did a really good job on defense,' Beerman said. 'This is a new position for him this year, and he's really stepped up and learned it.'

But to ask Hesse, last night was only worthy of a shoulder shrug.

When asked if he thought it was his best game, Hesse gave a half smile and gave a simple reply.

'I guess, but just because it's the last (game),' Hesse said. 'I don't know, we're just looking forward from here. We'll sit back and reminisce when the year is over.'

Hesse's don't-care attitude when it comes to his own statistics prompted approving laughter from his teammate, Marcus Weymiller, who heartily agreed with his quarterback. Weymiller had a solid game of his own, running 14 times for 77 yards. He also had two catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Beerman, in his first season as head man for the Indians, smiled when he was told of the exchange and said he wasn't surprised because he has a locker room full of that attitude.

'We stress team. It doesn't matter who scores the touchdowns,' Beerman said. 'I know certain kids are more equipped to do it, but the fact of the matter is, if we don't block, (no one scores). When we have (some) long runs, Parker will be down there blocking, or Marcus will be down the field blocking. That's what it takes, and they know it.

'Prior to the matchup with their district rival, there was a prevailing thought that the Indians hadn't really been tested by other teams.

That certainly showed on the scoreboard, where Waukon outscored opponents 240-19 before welcoming Union to town.

As the Knights leave town having mustered just 212 yards of total offense – 163 of which from the future Hawkeye Scheel – the Indians pushed that mark to 275-19, and sent a message against its first sure-fire quality opponent.

'For me, as a first-year coach, it's big to establish your credibility with a win like that,' Beerman said. 'It's fair (to say) that we hadn't really been tested, but also to be fair, we were scoring 41 points in the first quarter some games. We're capable of beating anyone we play, if we play smart.'