FOXBURG — When two teams enter a football game with a combined record of 0-10, pride is the only thing that matters.

Fortunately for Union, the Golden Knights felt a little more proud Friday night after defeating A-C Valley, 34-14.

"Feels pretty good," said Union coach Tom Kidder. "We had to wait a long time to get it, and the kids really enjoyed it."

Junior quarterback Matt Gagliano was the Golden Knights' catalyst by throwing for 215 yards and a touchdown.

On the first play from scrimmage, Gagliano connected with A.J. Ethriedge for a 65-yard touchdown.

Ethriedge had three catches for 103 yards.

Union scored the next time it had the ball when Gagliano followed his center into the end zone for a 1- yard quarterback sneak and the Golden Knights had a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Union got a short field for the touchdown drive by partially blocking an A-C Valley punt that gave the Golden Knights the ball at the Falcons 35-yard line.

The Falcons were able to move the ball into Union territory on their next drive, but Luke Walker was sacked by Union defensive end Brennan Bliss at the Golden Knights 43-yard line.

Bliss had three sacks in the game.

"Brennan Bliss is a very good sophomore," said Kidder. "His best days are yet to come."

The Golden Knights added to their lead on the first play of the second quarter when Colby Davis plowed through the A-C Valley defense for a 3-yard score.

Davis carried the ball 17 times for 63 yards to lead the Union ground attack.

A-C Valley did manage to get on the scoreboard with 8:26 left in the second quarter when Mike Himes raced 22 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.

On the ensuing drive, Union was able to march to the A-C Valley 21-yard line before Walker picked off a Gagliano pass at the Falcons 4-yard line.

Four plays later, Jake Becker stormed through the A-C Valley offensive line to block the Falcons' punt out of the end zone.

After halftime, Union sealed the game when Ethriedge scooped up a fumble by the A-C Valley's Mike Himes and raced 65 yards for the touchdown.

Himes was the leading rusher for both teams, gaining 93 yards on 15 carries.

"I think we have some people that have improved over the course of the year and we have had some players who haven't improved," said A-C Valley coach Gary Pinkerton. "But things like that happen when you are in a rebuilding mode.

"I really thought we could win this game tonight, but it didn't happen, and I think our rebuilding took a step backward," he added.