Union coach Dave Louder needed to get his players ready to play Clarion last Saturday.

That required Louder, his assistants and even the trainers to get into their stances and help keep practice going.

The Golden Knights had 17 kids available before the start of their KSAC Small Division matchup.

Union needed all hands on deck to prepare.

“It’s the first time I’ve experienced this. Preparing with 11 guys against six, you have coaches and trainers lining up,” Louder said.

Union didn’t come close to beating Clarion, but it approached the game with an admirable attitude.

The Golden Knights lost to the Bobcats, who are ranked No. 5 in the state in Class A, 47-12 last Saturday at Vidunas Stadium.

Union trailed 7-6 at halftime before running out of gas.

The Knights have lost four straight after starting the season 2-1.

“That’s the thing about this team is they’re optimistic and fighters,” Louder said. “It’s been a couple years since we’ve had a team (like this).”

Union, which has a male enrollment of 84, started the season with 26 players. Through an assortment of injuries, the number has dwindled to 15 after the loss to Clarion.

The Knights are one of many schools struggling with low numbers. Geibel Catholic, in Connellsville, had to drop its varsity program due to forfeiting too many WPIAL games.

Carlynton, a Class AA school in the WPIAL, had its coach resign earlier this season due to concerns with competing against other similar-sized schools fielding a squad that had low numbers.

Louder, who’s never had this sort of situation before, and his kids are determined to keep their program alive.

“We have to play with heart. It doesn’t matter how many kids we have,” Union junior wide receiver Cole Morris said. “We just show up and play.”

Morris is 106 yards from setting the school’s record for receiving yards in a season.

He returns kicks, plays defensive back, and he has played quarterback, wide receiver and running back this season.

“It’s Union football,” Morris said. “It’s what we do.”

Senior wide receiver Chet Carmichael, who has as many roles as Morris, got banged up against Clarion.

The Knights’ top two running backs — Dugan Gallagher and Eric Seary — are both out for the season.

Junior offensive lineman Casey Confer, who is 5-foot-8, 220 pounds, started at running back against the Bobcats.

“It’s hard to prepare for it,” Confer said. “But conditioning and going 100 percent in practice helps.”

Union likely will see its three-year streak of making the district playoffs end this season.

But being able to finish the last three weeks of the season may be enough of an accomplishment.

The Knights are a dedicated group, and they have a group of coaches that will help them persevere until the season’s end.

“Wanting to win keeps us going,” Confer said.

Josh Rizzo is a sports writer for the Butler Eagle.