FOLLOWING BLOCKS — North Union running back Bryer Prochniak (6) follows the blocking of fullback Landon Hagedorn (34) and offensive lineman Kolton Walter (right) for a long gain during season-opening football action Friday night in Armstrong. North Union quarterback Carter Morphew (7) and Okoboji defender Sam Pas (60) watch the play. (Photo by Greg Abel)

ARMSTRONG — Head coach Matt Ernster celebrated his 38th birthday in style on Friday night when his North Union football team opened its season with a convincing 39-0 win over the Okoboji Pioneers in Armstrong.

“I think the key to our win was the three things we did well tonight,” Ernster said. “We were more disciplined, more physical and executed better than they did.”

The Warriors controlled the ball with running back Bryer Prochniak’s and quarterback Carter Morphew’s running. Prochniak rushed for a game-leading 182 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries, while Morphew rushed for 111 yards and one TD on 12 carries.

Morphew also completed 5-of-13 passes for 52 yards with one TD to wide receiver Preston Guerdet.

North Union opened the scoring on its first drive of the season when Morphew connected with Guerdet on a 17-yard scoring pass. Morphew kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

The Warriors put three touchdowns on the board in the second quarter to break open a close game.

Prochniak ran 41 yards for the second score and Morphew missed the extra point. Prochniak set up the Warriors with good field position when he intercepted a pass and scored on the Warriors’ first play of their drive.

Prochniak tacked on his second touchdown on an eight-yard run with 5:56 left before halftime. Morphew kicked the extra point, making it 20-0.

Morphew scored on a five-yard quarterback sneak with 32.1 seconds left in the second quarter and kicked the PAT to give the home team a 27-0 halftime lead.

Colin Rasch recorded two quarterback sacks in the second half to force Okoboji into punting situations, and Prochniak scored on runs of seven and 17 yards, respectively, to complete the scoring.

Morphew missed the extra point after the final touchdown and the Warriors failed on a two-point conversion try.

Landon Hagedorn led the Warriors in tackles with 13, followed by Rasch and Aric Arndorfer with seven tackles apiece. Hagedorn added one QB sack to the effort.

The North Union defense held the Pioneers to less than 50 total yards, including 0-for-5 passing.

The Warriors (1-0) travel to Greene, Iowa, to face the North Butler Bulldogs at 7 p.m. next Friday night.

“We owe them a little payback after they came to our place and beat us on our Homecoming last year,” Ernster said. “They lost a lot of seniors off that team; we’re looking forward to playing them.”

OK 0 0 0 0 – 0

NU 7 20 6 6 – 39

Scoring Plays

1st Quarter

NU–Carter Morphew 17 yard pass to Preston Guerdet (Morphew kick), 5:03.

2nd Quarter

NU–Bryer Prochniak 41 yard run (kick failed), 10:12.

NU–Prochniak 8 yard run (Carter Morphew kick), 5:56.

NU–Morphew 5 yard run (Carter Morphew kick), 0:32.

3rd Quarter

NU–Prochniak 7 yard run 8:59 (run failed), 8:59.

4th Quarter

NU–Prochniak 17 yard run (kick failed), 8:42.