LA PORTE CITY - For those who worry that athletics take valuable time away from academics, Garrett Woodson is out to prove the two don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Union Community's senior quarterback hit the books after last year's 6-3 campaign ended an eyelash shy of the playoffs.

"More important than anything, he's bought into the idea that, 'I have to become a better leader,'" Union coach Joe Hadachek said of his second-year quarterback.

Woodson has accomplished that through reading and taking advantage of leadership opportunities at Union High. Included in his fall course load is a "21 Laws of Leadership" class taught by Union cross country coach Andy McQuillen.

The course - based on John C. Maxwell's "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" - has paid dividends for Woodson and the Union football team.

"There's a quote out of one of the books that says, 'One is too small of a number to achieve greatness,'" Woodson said. "That really hit home, because last year I tried to carry the team too much.

"That book put into perspective that you need the whole team to achieve what your goals are, so this year I've relied more on my teammates to do what they're supposed to do and I do what I'm supposed to do."

This season, Woodson has received plenty of support as the Knights boast a 4-0 record despite making a jump to Class 3A.

The Union quarterback has completed 30 of 43 passes for 487 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception.

The double-threat has also rushed for 146 yards on 40 carries with four touchdowns.

"When I was little, I always wanted to be running back," Woodson said. "It's more of an adrenaline rush trying to make guys miss and break tackles, but I definitely enjoy passing, too, because of that relationship between you and your receiver."

He did both to perfection Friday night during a 56-7 thrashing of Anamosa. In just two quarters of play, Woodson completed all 11 of his passes for 205 yards and one TD and rushed for another 80 yards and three scores.

"He's the versatile QB that you see in a lot of the spread offenses," Hadachek said.

The coach realized that his quarterback's transformation into a consistent leader was complete in week one. Trailing 19-7 at halftime, Woodson went to the air and orchestrated a memorablem 22-21m comeback victory.

"In the past, there would be a tendency for him to maybe second-guess the game plan or be down about his personal performance," the Knights' coach said. "But at halftime of the Webster City game, I saw him grow as leader. He was extremely positive, and it lifted our staff up to see in his eyes, 'Hey, we can get these guys.' He went out and did it. We had to pass the ball to win that football game."

Off the field, Woodson has grown as a member of the Unity Council Leadership and Fellowship of Christian Athletes in addition to serving as a volunteer for youth football camps.

On the field, he has provided the Knights with a leadership base to achieve their first back-to-back 6-3 or better seasons in school history.

Contact Nick Petaros at (319) 291-1428 or nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com