Honors roll in for Union Co. Panthers football team

Honors were everywhere for the Panthers this week as Union Co. head football coach Brian Allison was named the Region 8-AA Coach of the Year as voted on by the region coaches.

Region 8-AA Coach of the Year Brian Allison

Allison led the Panthers to an 10-2 record this season and the first state playoff victory in school history. The team’s 10 wins are the most by a Union Co. football team since the program began.

Allison said he was happy with the selection, but that it was more about the team than himself.

“It’s a nice recognition of our football team and our coaching staff after the season we had,” Allison said.

He was not the only member of the Panthers honored as the Region 8-AA All-Region team was released; 19 players were included across the first team, second team, and honorable mentions.

Senior John Mancuso was named the Region 8-AA Defensive Player of the Year.

Senior defensive back John Mancuso was named the Defensive Player of the Year. He finished the season with 122 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks, and was most noted for showing up and playing his best in the team’s most important moments and games this season.

Senior quarterback Pierson Allison was named the Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 2,954 yards and 28 touchdowns, while adding 395 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Being selected to the first team were:

-junior running back Jonah Daniel (1,570 yards on 177 carries, 16 touchdowns);

-senior wide receiver Sawyer Drake (1,253 yards on 78 catches, 10 touchdowns);

Junior Jonah Daniel was named the Region 8-AA All-Region First Team.

-senior wide receiver Kyle Morlock (591 yards on 28 catches, six touchdowns in eight games);

-junior offensive lineman Aaron Helton;

-senior defensive lineman Nathaniel Ledford;

Senior Sloan Sutton was named the Region 8-AA All-Region First Team.

-senior linebacker Sloan Sutton (104 tackles, two sacks, interceptions; and,

-junior defensive back Kaston Hemphill (78 tackles, three interceptions.

Panthers making the second team included senior offensive lineman Drake Groves, junior linebacker Noah Underwood, and junior kicker Mason McCombs.

Honorable Mentions included senior Lance Patton, senior Cayden Rich, senior Joseph Rockenbaugh, senior JJ Engle, junior Clayton Lester, and senior Zion Ross.

James Wolfe