CHERRY TWP — The Union football team was rewarded for their effort on both sides of the ball with a 34-12 win over Moniteau Friday night at Warriors Stadium, but one reward still escapes them.

The 5-5 Golden Knights missed the playoffs while the 4-6 Warriors will make the District 9 Class AA playoffs.

Moniteau will head to St. Marys next Friday for a rematch with the Flying Dutchmen, who the Warriors beat 29-28 earlier this season.

Union coach Dave Louder said his team deserved to make it to the playoffs this year.

“It's a heartbreaker for these guys,” Louder said. “District 9's gotta step in and do something because this is wrong.”

The Golden Knights won the game with strong defensive pressure and a good performance from running back Dugan Gallagher.

The Golden Knights' defense forced Moniteau quarterback Derek Boben to throw three interceptions, complementing a first-half shutout. Union also forced the Warriors to fumble twice.

“(The defense) came to play tonight,” Louder said.

Louder said the focus was to apply pressure with their pass rushing to Moniteau quarterback Derek Boben.

Moniteau coach Wade Vogan said Boben had a tough time in the first half. He said Boben's woes effected the Warriors' mentality on offense.

“He wasn't able to sit there and had to hurry his throws,” Vogan said. “It's a trickle-down effect to our offense.”

“It was obvious that he was definitely uncomfortable there,” Vogan said. “When he's scrambling all around, it's hard to make things happen.”

Boben scored one touchdown on the ground and added an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Nick Pflugh with 1:42 left in the game.

Boben was 16-of-31 in passing for 164 yards. Helping Boben was fullback Shonn Kline, who caught three passes for 55 yards.

Kline said he felt the force of the Knights' run defense.

“There were times where there were holes, but I just couldn't find them,” Kline said.

Kline said he was glad he could contribute in some way with his receptions.

“It gave us a little bit of life,” Kline said.

While Union's defense produced turnovers, Gallagher put points on the board. His first touchdown wasn't even on offense.

In the first quarter, Gallagher intercepted a Boben pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown with 3 minutes, 19 seconds remaining.

Louder said Moniteau stopped the Golden Knights' runners well to start, but he was able to adjust his play calling to better suite Gallagher's style.

“They were bottling us up early, so we were trying to press the hole and then bounce it out,” Louder said.

Gallagher added another 77-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter with 5:27 remaining. The running back totaled 186 yards on 23 carries, despite a holding call that ruined an 85-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

“He knows how to finish runs,” Louder said. “He's a small speedy back, but he's also a power back.”

Vogan said he was expecting more passes. He said his secondaries played a good game, but Gallagher able to hit the corner and find space.

“Union put it to us,” Vogan said. “They played four quarters of butt-whoopin' football.”

Louder said with Friday being their last game of the season, he knew Gallagher, a senior, wanted to perform at his best in his final game.

“He was hungry for the end zone,” Louder said. “He was running with a purpose.”