BLAIRSVILLE — For the past four seasons, Union County football has constructed an impressive new tradition of winning and expectation, setting a four-year mark for victories and reaching the state playoffs three straight seasons.
Even after graduating a big part of that success, the Panthers aim to keep it going.
Record-setting quarterback Joseph Mancuso is now a freshman at the University of Richmond, while a host of talented receivers and defensive backs are also Panther alumni. Left in their place, however, is a strong running game and offensive and defensive lines that could serve Union County just as effectively -- if a little differently than recent Panther squads.
"This team is different than last year's, and it just depends on how some of the inexperienced guys react to game situations," Union County coach Brian Allison said. "The teams in front of them developed a sense of pride in winning, and these guys want to maintain that. That's what you want. And I think we're going to get better as the season goes on."
With three returning starters on the offensive line and running back Bo Lynch back for his senior year, the Panthers could, literally, run right out of the starting gate. Meanwhile, the return of two starting defensive ends and three linebackers could also make run stopping a strength.
"I'd like to think we're going to run the football more, but we're still going to throw the ball," Allison said, referencing quarterback Cole Wright, who did start last season when Mancuso went down briefly with an injury. "Our offense evolves every year."
There are also key questions on special teams and in the schedule, where the move up to Class AAA will mean less travel and probably bigger crowds -- but also a tougher top-to-bottom schedule. But they are questions the Panthers are eager to tackle head-on.
UNION COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Panthers
- TEAM COLORS: Purple and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 7-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Brian Allison, 15th year total, ninth season in a row, 84-60
- 2015 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-2, reached first round of Class AA playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: QB Joseph Mancuso, WR Sam Gilbert, OL Parker Daniel, OL Chris Drost, Saf Andrew Brown, Saf Zach Stone, CB Josh Daniel
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Panthers will still look to be a versatile unit despite graduating a stellar quarterback, yet the return of a standout running back and three offensive linemen could see Union looking more to its ground game.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Jr. QB Cole Wright, Sr. RB Bo Lynch, Sr. WR Slade Thompson, Sr. OL Dawson Groves, Sr. OL Blane Brown, Sr. OL Tyler McConnell
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 50 -- Union County will look to stop the run first with a strong defensive front.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. LB Luke Winkler, Jr. ILB Chris Thompson, Sr. DE Chandler Day, Jr. DE Matthew Beise, Sr. Saf Zach Stone, Jr. LB RJ Banton
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. P RJ Banton, all other special teams duties undecided as of publication time
- STRENGTH: Lines of scrimmage -- So much experience returning on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball should be a comfort to Panthers fans and aid in running the ball and stopping the run.
- QUESTION: Experience at QB, WR and DB -- Wright did get to start last season after Mancuso went down with an injury mid-season, but now the spotlight is his rather than keeping the seat warm, and it will be interesting to see how he and a new crop of receivers and defensive backs respond.
- KEY GAMES: After two preseason scrimmages, the opener should be interesting as the Panthers test their new starters. The new Region 7-AAA schedule opens with a bange, as Union travels to face 2015 Class AA semifinalist Greater Atlanta Christian (Sept. 23). The contest starts a run of four straight against 2015 state playoff teams that will likely make or break Union County's playoff chances.
- TRENDING: The Panthers just graduated their most successful senior class in history, with 30 wins and three state playoff appearances under their belts. Now Union County will look to make that trend continue with an experienced group that faces some new and perhaps tougher challenges week-in, week-out in Region 7-AAA after so many seasons in 8-AA. Certainly the expectations amongst Panthers players is to win.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 26 vs. Gilmer
Sept. 2 vs. Hayesville, N.C.
Sept. 9 at Andrews, N.C.
Sept. 16 at Banks County
Sept. 23 at *Greater Atlanta Christian
Sept. 30 vs. *East Hall
Oct. 7 at *Dawson County
Oct. 14 vs. *North Hall
Oct. 28 at *Fannin County
Nov. 4 vs. *Lumpkin County
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
