Union/A-C Valley football 2026 preview: What to watch, 3 things to know and schedule
A number of standout performances from seniors helped lift Union/A-C Valley's football team to a 10-2 effort in 2025, the best record in the 10-year history of the co-op between the two schools.
Despite their departure, the Falcon Knights are determined to maintain a high level of play, which could lead to a deeper District 9 Class 1A playoff run than last year's semifinal appearance.
“We have a bunch of younger guys willing to step up and fill those roles,” junior running back/defensive back Parker Bish said. “We have set high expectations, and our goal is to win a District 9 championship.”
While losing last year’s pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Max Gallagher and Logan Skibinski, the Falcon Knights have returning quarterback Andrew Kifer, who turned in a freshman season that turned a lot of heads — 1,488 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.
He also threw 12 interceptions. However, it was a strong foundation to build on.
“He was very mature last year,” Union/A-C Valley coach Dan Reed said. “The way he ran the huddle and called the plays, he did very well. When we asked him to make plays, he did.
“We may be a little more pass-heavy this season, could throw between 18 and 25 passes per game.”
Kifer averaged 14 pass attempts per contest last year. He appears ready to take on more responsibility. He took part in a passing camp in Monroeville and 7-on-7 drills at Kent State and Slippery Rock University this summer.
“He’s bigger and stronger this year and is looking really good going into the season,” Reed said.
That is not to say that Union/A-C Valley lacks confidence in its ground game. Junior Parker Bish and sophomore Micah Kindel, who combined for 326 yards on 37 carries in 2025, will spearhead the rushing attack.
Bish is a “slasher with speed,” according to Reed, while Kindel is “a straight-ahead runner.”
The different styles will keep any opposing defense on its toes.
“Knowing I am going to be more involved this year, it was a big offseason for me,” Bish said. “Getting in the weight room, getting together and working with Andrew and Micah and all those guys, I feel I did what I needed to do to prepare myself.”
Stephen Hepler will be an option to run the ball when Bish and Kindel need to be spelled.
Senior wide receiver Nick Ielase looks to have more passes thrown his way after serving as a reserve last year. He competed at those same 7-on-7 scrimmages with Kifer and several other teammates.
“I did a lot of good things, but it also showed me the things I need to work on,” Ielase said. “Like releasing off the line against press coverage. Trent (Fleming, starting WR from last year) showed me you don’t have to be the biggest and strongest on the field to succeed.”
1. Leaders on the line: The offensive front was not immune to losing star power as all-region tackle Colbin Elliott is now playing at Westminster College. But Reed has faith that this year's line can help spark the team's skill players.
Junior left tackle Noah Yori, a three-year starter who played center last year, leads the way. Also back with starting experience are tackle Dane Wiant and guard Nash Earley.
“They'll be good leaders,” Reed said. “Nash started every game as a sophomore last year. They'll do what they can to help the younger guys.”
Said Yori: “The line really pushed Max and Logan to be great last year. I think we'll be able to run the ball when we need to this season.”
2. Seizing opportunities: Sophomore linebacker Micah Kindel and junior defensive end Yori, who tallied 129 tackles last year between them, will be leaders in the Falcon Knights' 4-2-5 defensive scheme. Other starters returning include Hepler at tackle, Ielase at cornerback and Bish at safety.
“It's tough because we lost a lot of good players and leaders,” said Reed, who sees the success of not only his defense, but the team as a whole, coming down to a simple question. “How well do the kids step up into leading roles?
“It's hard to tell until we start playing the games on our schedule, but I'm excited because we have potential.”
3. Arch nemesis: In three of the past five years, Union/A-C Valley’s season came to an end with a playoff loss to Redbank Valley.
In 2021, it was in the District 9 championship game. The last two seasons, the Falcon Knights fell to the Bulldogs in the semifinals.
The two teams will meet in a non-region game Sept. 11 in New Bethlehem. Both programs are perennial Class 1A playoff teams, so another postseason meeting is not out of the question.
“The rivalry we have with Redbank, there's nothing like it,” said Hepler, who was part of Union/A-C Valley's 26-22 win against the Bulldogs in last year's regular season. “We have what it takes to beat them (in the playoffs). We're right there, and we know it.”
- Aug. 28, 7 — Brookville at Union/A-C Valley
- Sept. 4, 7 — Union/A-C Valley at Central Clarion
- Sept. 11, 7 — Union/A-C Valley at Redbank Valley
- Sept. 18, 7 — Cameron County at Union/A-C Valley*
- Sept. 25, 7 — Union/A-C Valley at Ridgway*
- Oct. 2, 7 — Keystone at Union/A-C Valley*
- Oct. 9, 7 — Union/A-C Valley at Kane*
- Oct. 16, 7 — Union/A-C Valley at Otto-Eldred
- Oct. 23, 7 — St. Marys at Union/A-C Valley
- Oct. 29, 7 — Sharpsville at Union/A-C Valley
*Region game
2025: 10-2*
2024: 8-4*
2023: 5-6*
2022: 5-6*
2021: 9-3*
*Made playoffs
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Parker Bish catches a ball during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Parker Bish catches a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Parker Bish catches a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Parker Bish catches a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Parker Bish catches a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Nick Ielase looks for a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Nick Ielase looks for a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Nick Ielase looks for a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Nick Ielase looks for a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer passes during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer runs during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Andrew Kifer cools down after a play during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Nick Ielase looks for a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Nick Ielase looks for a pass during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley head coach Dan Reed watches a play during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley head coach Dan Reed watches a play during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley head coach Dan Reed watches a play during football practice Thursday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Union High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Parker Bish (2), Noah Yori (56), Stephen Hepler (12) and Nicholas Ielase (8) pose with head coach Dan Reed, front, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Nicholas Ielase during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Parker Bish during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Stephen Hepler during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Noah Yori during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Noah Yorr (56) and Parker Bish (2) enjoy wings from the Beacon Hotel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Noah Yorr (56) enjoys some wings from the Beacon Hotel during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley football is interviewed by Butler Radio during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Union/A-C Valley's Stephen Hepler (12) jumps to dunk the football through Nicholas Ielase's (right) arms during a video shoot with teammates at Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
