BLAIRSVILLE — It’s not a necessity, but it sure would be a nice bucket list item that Brian Allison and the Union County football team could cross off.
The Panthers once again in 2018 put together a tremendous regular season going 9-1 with their only loss coming to Rabun County for the Region 8-2A championship. However, they fell to Bremen in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs, their fifth first-round loss since 2013.
In fact, the Panthers are still looking for that elusive first-ever postseason win. But Allison said playoff wins or losses do not necessarily define a program.
“It’s not necessary (to get a playoff win) as far as having a successful program that people respect,” he said. “But it sure would be nice to get that first one. We’re not stressed about it but the kids do talk about being that first group to do it.”
Can 2019 be that season for the Panthers? Based on the offense, which returns senior quarterback (2,840 yards, 24 TDs, 5 INT) and senior receivers Sawyer Drake (44 rec., 900 yards, 8 TD), Kyle Morlock (47 rec., 757 yards, 8 TD) and Cayden Rich (25 rec., 367 yards, 1 TD) they should once again be an offensive juggernaut. But the defense is also replacing five key players, including three of its top four tacklers.
Senior defensive lineman Nathaniel Ledford returns but the Panthers will need production from among a talented but inexperienced group that includes senior defensive back Zion Ross, who is returning from an injury. Junior Kastin Hemphill and senior John Mancuso will anchor an improving secondary, while senior Sloan Sutton and junior Noah Underwood have some big shoes to fill at linebacker.
“Offensively we have a lot of playmakers but that group’s success may depend on the line,” Allison said. “We’re working on that unit and they are improving. The defense lost some great players so right now it’s kind of a work-in-progress on that side of the ball.”
The Panthers face another challenging schedule, though dropping back down to Class 2A in 2018 paid dividends as they finished second in Region 8-2A after missing out on the playoffs in 2017 in Region 7-3A.
Union County should once again be a favorite to make the playoffs and perhaps challenge for the region title. The Panthers’ biggest obstacle will come against high-powered offenses like Rabun County and whether the Panthers can muster enough defense to slow them down. In 2018 they allowed just 190 total points on the season but yielded 96 to Rabun and Bremen in their two losses.
“It’s a tough schedule again and we have some questions that need answers so it’s going to be interesting for sure,” Allison said. “Our goal every year is to win the region and make the playoffs and try to advance. I don’t see anything different this year.”
UNION COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Panthers
- TEAM COLORS: Purple and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 8-2A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Brian Allison, 18th year total, 12th season in a row, 99-66
- 2018 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 9-2, first round of Class 2A playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: WR/LB Kanon Hemphill, OL Coleson Daniel, RB Chad Buzzard, DB Chayton Schafer, DB Alec Scott, LB Kanon Hemphill, LB Jackson Colwell, PK/P Brian Smith
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Panthers will continue to employ an up-tempo spread attack that saw QB Pierson Allison lead lass 2A in passing most of the 2018 season. Allison will still have plenty of athletic receivers to work and could be even better in 2019 if they find a solid OL group to protect Allison.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 returning starters -- Sr. WR Sawyer Drake, Sr. WR Kyle Morlock, Sr. QB Pierson Allison, Sr. WR Cayden Rich, Jr. RB Jonah Daniel, Jr. OL Aaron Helton, Sr. OL Drake Groves
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 50/3-4 -- Union County will do its best to stop the run first but will mix and match its coverages based on the opposition. The Panthers have depth upfront but are looking for players to step up at linebacker and cornerback.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Sr. DL Nathaniel Ledford, Sr. DB Zion Ross, Jr. DB Kastin Hemphill, Sr. DB John Mancuso, Sr. LB Sloan Sutton, Jr. LB Noah Underwood, Jr. DL Clayton Lester
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK Mason McCombs, Sr. KR Zion Ross, Sr. PR Josh Orr, P duties are uncertain and may not be decided until after fall practice;
- STRENGTH: Skilled positions on offense -- The Panthers are loaded with playmakers like Allison, Drake, Morlock, and Rich and should be able to score on just about any defense.
- QUESTION: Secondary/OL/DL/kicking game -- The Panthers have plenty of capable defenders in the secondary but lack game experience. Finding some dependable guys upfront will be a key, especially on offense, to give Allison time to find his talented receivers. The kicking game could be an issue until they find a solid replacement for graduated 3-year starter Brian Smith.
- KEY GAMES: The schedule turns in their favor in 2019 in Region 8-2A with both Elbert County and arch-rival Rabun County traveling to Blairsville. They also still have mountain rivals Fannin County and Towns County as they never play more than one home game or one road game in back-to-back weeks the entire way. A key matchup will be Sept. 20 at home taking on an improved Monticello team that is coming off just their second playoff season since 1999. An Oct. 4 showdown with Elbert County, which decided the No. 2 spot in the region in 2018, at home also awaits and they close out their schedule at home against Rabun County in what was a battle for the region title in 2018.
- TRENDING: Dropping back down to Class 2A in 2018 paid dividends as they finished second in Region 8-2A after missing out on the playoffs in 2017 in Region 7-3A. The Panthers, behind what should be one of the more dynamic offenses in northeast Georgia, should once again be a favorite to make the playoffs and perhaps challenge for the region title. Allison has built the Panthers into a playoff stalwart and that should not change in 2019. Can they snag that first-ever region title and playoff win? That will be the biggest question.
2019 SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 at East Hall
Sept. 6 vs. Towns County
Sept. 13 at Fannin County
Sept. 20 vs. Monticello*
Sept. 27 at Putnam County*
Oct. 4 vs. Elbert County*
Oct. 18 at Banks County*
Oct. 25 vs. Oglethorpe County*
Nov. 1 at Social Circle*
Nov. 8 vs. Rabun County*
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/8/803492/2019-football-preview-union-county