PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Panthers to host Hornets
Sports, TeamFYNSports, UCHS Football November 14, 2019
If the Union County Panthers want to earn the first state playoff victory in school history this Friday night, Nov. 15, they’re going to have their work cut out for them.
Union County Head Coach Brian Allison is seeking the school’s first playoff win.
This is the second-straight season the Panthers have lost the region title game to Rabun County with both teams coming into the game undefeated.
Union County is the No. 2 seed from Region 8-AA and will have to get over the 49-7 loss to the Wildcats quickly to make it into the second round of the playoff bracket.
South Atlanta (7-3) comes to town as the No. 3 seed from Region 6-AA. The Hornets bring with them a whole lot of speed and athleticism.
The South Atlanta offense is putting up 29.3 points per game this season, while giving up just 16.5.
The Hornets are led by a dynamic running attack that features strong athletes all over the field.
On offense, senior swing back Pete Boyd (5-foot-5, 160 pounds) will show the Panthers a little more than they’ve seen so far this season coming out of the backfield. Boyd had a 53-yard run last Friday in a 20-6 win against KIPP Atlanta Collegiate.
On the outside, the Hornets have freshman wideout Ricky Lee, who stands just 5-foot-9, but runs the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds.
Freshman Jontez Adams, always a threat to take off out of the backfield, will run the quarterback position for the Hornets.
Starting running back, junior Quintavious Frazier, also plays middle linebacker and is also an excellent athlete.
On defense, South Atlanta is led by senior cornerback Duane Russell, whose 6-foot, 155-pound frame holds a whole lot of speed and an ability to bawl-hawk.
Senior quarterback Pierson Allison will lead the Panthers against the Hornets this Friday.
But the Panthers (9-1) have weapons of their own.
Senior quarterback Pierson Allison has thrown for more than 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. He leads an offense that has put up 40.9 points per game so far.
Allison has great options at the wide receiver position, including senior Sawyer Drake. Drake surpassed 1,000 yards receiving on the season last week and has caught nine touchdowns.
Fellow senior Kyle Morlock was leading the team in receiving yards before going out on the first offensive play from scrimmage in the team’s sixth game.
While he dressed for the region championship game against Rabun County last week, Morlock never stepped onto the field.
Head coach Brian Allison said Morlock will be a game-time decision against South Atlanta.
Junior Jonah Daniel carries the ball for Union County.
Seeing the bulk of the carries for Union County will be junior Jonah Daniel.
Daniel has 1,375 yards rushing on 140 carries this season to go along with 14 touchdowns. He’s also proven to be a threat out of the backfield with 211 yards and two touchdowns on 14 receptions.
On defense, the Panthers are led by senior defensive back John Mancuso (108 total tackles) and senior linebacker Sloan Sutton (90 total tackles). Juniors Noah Underwood (73 tackles, three sacks) and Kaston Hemphill (71 tackles, three interceptions) also figure in on a defense that is allowing just 18.3 points per game.
Both Allison and Drake will also see time in the secondary for the Panthers’ defense.
South Atlanta is coached by WB Stephens, who is in his second season at the helm.
The Panthers and Hornets are set to kick off the first round of the Class AA state playoffs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, in Blairsville.
Sanchez brings home state title to Blairsville
Sports, TeamFYNSports November 4, 2019
Senior Sadie Underwood
CARROLLTON, GA – Zoe Sanchez is a back-to-back state champion.
The senior ran a blistering pace of 20 minutes, 6.82 seconds to take home her second-consecutive Class AA cross country state championship Saturday, Nov. 2, at Carrollton High School.
The state title comes nearly a week after Sanchez took home her second-consecutive Region 8-AA individual championship in Lexington.
Sanchez won her first cross country title last season with a time of 20:04.45
The senior finished nearly 30 seconds ahead of second place, Bleckley County freshman Tristen Crosby (20:34.20).
Bleckley County was well-represented as Austin Perez, a Bleckley County senior, placed third (20:49.20).
Monticello senior Mari Jablonski was fourth (21:26.35), and Berrien senior Rebecca Chandler (21:36.47) rounded out the top five finishers.
Sadie Underwood, a Union County senior, ran well with a time of 23:36.44 and was the 30th finisher out of the 194 participants.
Union County Sophomore Hana Gregory ran a time of 24:36.18, which was strong enough to place 49th.
Lexi Ochoa, a Union County senior, came in 57th with a time of 25:02.96, while fellow senior Allison Vincent was 77th with a time of 26:30.82.
Jessie Holbrooks, senior, was 85th with a time of 26:51.36, and sophomore Campbell Chamber placed 97th with a time of 27:25.86.
As a team, Union County placed ninth overall with a collective time of 1:59:53.22, for an average of 23:58.65.
Twenty-nine teams competed at the state championship.
To view the complete results from the state championship race, click here.
Panthers remain unbeaten, path to playoffs clear
Sports, TeamFYNSports, UCHS Football October 5, 2019
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Back-to-back fumble recoveries proved to the be difference Friday night as Union County remained unbeaten this season with a 35-14 win against Elbert County in Blairsville.
Senior quarterback Pierson Allison (No. 17) celebrates with freshman Wilson Walker after an Allison touchdown pass put the Panthers on top 21-14.
With the win, the Panthers (6-0, 3-0 Region 8-AA) kept pace with Rabun County for the top spot in the division and made the path the state playoffs clearer.
“I don’t have enough words for how proud I am,” Union County coach Brian Allison said after the game. “Offense, defense, special teams; we won in all three phases tonight.”
Heading into Friday night’s game, the Union County offense had been the engine that drove the Panthers into a 5-0 start.
But it was the defense that stepped up against the visiting Blue Devils (3-3, 2-1), making timely tackles and forcing three turnovers.
Two of those turnovers occurred early in the fourth quarter with the game still up for grabs.
With the score tied at 14, Elbert County was looking to answer a Union County touchdown on the previous drive.
After starting the drive from their own 41, the Blue Devils quickly moved 20 yards down the field and looked to be turning their eyes toward the end zone.
Senior Sawyer Drake leaves an Elbert County defensive back on the turf as he scampers for a 28-yard touchdown catch for Union County on Friday night in Blairsville.
Instead, Elbert County’s Shaun Allen put the ball on the ground and Union County junior Kaston Hemphill scooped it up to give the Panthers a first down on their own 33.
Three straight running plays, including a 22-yard scamper from junior Jonah Daniel, led to a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Pierson Allison to senior Sawyer Drake to give the home team the lead 20-14.
Junior Mason McCombs hit one of his five made point-after attempts to put Union County on top 21-14.
The Panthers would continue to build that lead for the remainder of the game. Pierson Allison, form his defensive back position, recovered a fumble on the Blue Devils’ next drive.
Two plays later, he hit McCombs with a 35-yard touchdown pass to put Union County up 28-14 with 7:44 left in the game.
On the Blue Devils’ very first play from scrimmage on the next drive, junior Clayton Lester stepped in front of a pass for an interception for the defense’s third forced turnover of the night.
History repeated itself as Allison threw another touchdown pass two plays later, this one a 24-yard strike to Drake to secure the final score at 35-14.
Early in the first half, it looked like Union County might be in trouble.
The annual “Pink Out” game at Union County was Friday night and players and fans alike were in the spirit.
After losing the team’s receiving-yards leader, senior Kyle Morlock, to injury on the first play from scrimmage, the Union County offense appeared to be out-of-sync.
Sideline reports from the training staff said Morlock’s injury looked to be a broken right ankle.
The loss of Morlock had the offense scrambling to figure out who would step into his shoes in the receiving rotation.
“We lost one of our best players, and it slowed us down on offense,” Brian Allison said. “But we didn’t give up. We found weaknesses and we took advantage of them.”
The first four drives ended poorly for the Panthers, with two punts, a fumble lost, and an interception.
Union County held the annual “Pink Out” game Friday night, and the Panthers’ student section delivered.
But it was the interception thrown by Pierson Allison that seemed to galvanize the Panthers, who began to play with a different intensity and purpose from that point on.
The defense forced an Elbert County punt on the next drive, and the offense followed suit, marching 68 yards and into the end zone to tie the game at 7 with 49 seconds left in the first half.
The touchdown drive, capped by a beautiful 19-yard pass to senior Cayden Rich, was the first of five straight scoring drives for the Panthers.
But the defense receiving the majority of the praise on the night, especially from Drake.
“I thought our defense played great and really kept us in the game early,” Drake said after the game. “They forced three turnovers, and you really can’t ask for more than that.”
Drake finished the night with 208 yards and two scores on eight catches.
Allison went 15-for-23 for 327 yards and four scores in the air.
On the ground, Daniel led the team in rushing yards again with 67, including a 21-yard touchdown run near the end of the third that tied the game at 14-14.
The win allowed the Panthers to stay neck-in-neck with Rabun County at 3-0 in region play. They are followed by Elbert County and Banks County at 2-1.
All of Region 8-AA is off next week. The Panthers return to action Oct. 18 with a visit to Banks County for another big region matchup.
Honors roll in for Union Co. Panthers football team
TeamFYNSports, UCHS Football December 13, 2019
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.
TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week – No. 11 Cayden Rich
Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports, UCHS Football November 2, 2019
When standout wide receiver Kyle Morlock went out a month ago with a severe right ankle injury, someone was going to have to step up in the receiving corps for the Union County Panthers.
This week against Social Circle, that player proved to be senior Cayden Rich.
Rich hauled in just two catches against the Redskins, but had nearly 100 yards receiving and a big touchdown in Union County’s 41-6 win.
Rich has been a steady producer all season, catching just 20 passes but scoring four touchdowns and providing senior quarterback Pierson Allison a safety valve when his main target, senior Sawyer Drake, is locked down.
Rich, who also plays linebacker on occasion, is this week’s TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week!
Lake Hughes is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Panthers!
Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports, Union County Panthers December 22, 2019
Lake Hughes is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Panthers!
Hughes, a sophomore guard, had an incredible shooting performance for Union Co. (4-6, 1-2 Region 8-2A) in a 73-43 win against Class 4A’s Gilmer on Saturday, Dec. 21, in Blairsville.
With the Panthers up by just six points heading into the second half, Hughes went on an absolute tear from beyond-the-arc.
The sophomore made seven 3-pointers in the second half as the Panthers pulled away for the 30-point victory.
Hughes finished with a game-high 23 points in the victory for Union Co.
For his efforts, Hughes is the TeamFYNSports Player of the Week for the Panthers!
Panthers powered by huge second half in win against Bobcats
TeamFYNSports, Union County Panthers December 22, 2019
An explosion from beyond-the-arc propelled the Union Co. Panthers basketball team to a big 73-43 win against Gilmer on Saturday in Blairsville.
Union Co. senior Sawyer Brey goes up over Gilmer sophomore Cade Carter on Saturday in Blairsville.
Sophomore Lake Hughes his seven second-half 3-pointers, including five in the fourth quarter, to put the game out of reach for the Panthers (4-6, 1-2 Region 8-2A).
Union Co. senior Cayden Rich takes the ball inside against Gilmer’s Luke Wimpey on Saturday. Both players finished the game with six points.
Despite six players scoring in the first half for Union Co., the Bobcats (5-5, 2-3 Region 6-4A) managed to stay within six points at the half 25-19.
Sophomore Cade Carter scored 11 of the team’s first half points to keep Gilmer within striking distance heading into the second half. Carter finished with a team-high 18 points in the loss.
The Panthers got hot from outside in the third, as Hughes and senior Pierson Allison both hit two 3-pointers in the period. Junior Kaston Hemphill scored five and senior Sawyer Brety chipped in four during the period as Union Co. began to pull away at 46-32 heading into the fourth.
The final frame was all Hughes, who buried all five shots he took from outside. The Panthers outscored the Bobcats 27-11 in the fourth to earn the victory.
Junior guard Brady Sanford scored six points in the third for Gilmer, while fellow junior Braden Jenkins scored all five of his points in the fourth.
Sanford finished with eight points for the Bobcats.
Gilmer junior Braden Jenkins takes the ball past Union Co. junior Kaston Hemphill on Saturday.
Hughes finished with a game-high 23 points for the Panthers, while Allison finished with 16.
Allison was also recognized during the first quarter after scoring his fourth point of the game. The made shot took Allison passed 1,000 points for his career at Union Co.
Hemphill and Brey both finished with 10 points for the Panthers, who next play Walhalla at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 26, in the Towns Co. Battle of the State Tournament in Hiawassee.
Luke Wimpey and Lewis Mulkey ended the game with six points each for Gilmer, which next plays a regular-season game Saturday, Jan. 4, against Fannin Co. at 5:30 p.m. in Ellijay.
Union County Recognizes Five Superheroes
Education, UC Elementary, UC Primary September 20, 2018
In Union County’s Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, five teachers from within the Union County school district were recognized for their commitment to excellence within the school system.
Union County Elementary School Principal Jerry Bavero recognized writing teacher Jeanne Maddaleni. Principal Bavero states, “I want you all to know that Ms. Maddaleni is our writing specialist in Union County Elementary School. For the past five years, she has been studying how to teach students writing at third, fourth, and fifth grade levels. So, this year she goes into every single classroom that we have for forty-five minutes a day for five days and completes an entire writing unit. She’s diversified what she’s teaching the students into three different levels. She’s reworked these levels multiple times based on her experience with the students. So, not recognizing her at this point would be doing a disservice to her, to our school, and to our community. She’s done a magnificent job.”
Principal Millie Owenby of Union County Primary School recognized four of her teachers. Principal Owenby states, “I’m recognizing these four ladies tonight because they work with our most challenging students at the primary school. They serve these students as if they were their own. As I’ve thought about what each of them bring to their classroom and to the Primary School, I cannot help but think that each of them has a superpower.”
Ms. Carla Drake’s superpower is patience. Ms. Graham’s superpower is her ability to stay calm. Ms. Schuknecht’s superpower is her level of energy. Finally, Ms. Townsend, her superpower is her level of positivity.
Principal Millie Owenby continues, “I appreciate each one of you ladies. Thank you so much for everything that you do for our students.”
Congratulations to each of these teachers and thank you for your dedication to education and to Union County’s students.
Union County School Property Is One Step Closer to Becoming A Part of the City
News September 22, 2018
Union County Commissioner Lamar Paris approved the City of Blairsville’s request to annex county property around the Union County School System totaling 86.12 acres. Commissioner Paris states, “The school system has its own police force. The city is the authorizing agency and has requested that we allow them to annex property from the county to the city for the city maintaining property and potential road extension to city limits to and including all the Union County School system property. Other than the actual school property that is located within the county, the only property owned by the county is being included in this annex sanction and will allow the school officers to patrol county facilities. This is the property where the health department is currently located and we will eventually be building the double gymnasium on that property. So that will be included in property across the highway in the annex will be a part of city limits.”
Several months ago, the Union County School System created their own police force and ended their contract with the Union County Sherriff’s Office. When the Union County School System created their own police department, the City of Blairsville accepted the Police Department under their jurisdiction. To do that, the City of Blairsville had to annex the Union County School property. The order of annexation was approved by County Commissioner and now the annexation will be reviewed by the City of Blairsville once more before being accepted or denied.
Commissioner Paris addressed the community’s concern for raised property taxes. Paris states, “I actually had a couple people that said that we got a reasonable tax rate, being the second lowest in the state, and we feel like the county is justified in having the raise the taxes some. So, we were looking at raising them 14.8% and we ended up cutting that in half at about 7.4%. We’ve had a real issue with our budget this year and we’re continuing to have a real issue with our budget. Last year was the first time since I’ve been in office where we felt like we had to really struggle a little bit and that’s why we felt like we had to raise taxes. I probably should have left them where I originally said I was going to at 14.8% because that’s really what we needed. But I also decided in the end that we should really have to work hard at it to make sure we try to keep our taxes as low as we can and still provide those services that are necessary. If something happens and we can’t bring it back up, and I have to come back to the public next year then we’ll raise them up that little bit.”
Commissioner Paris discussed the propane contract between Union County and Freeman Gas for $1.19 from September to August of next year.
There are two new agreements as well. A lease agreement has been established between the 9th District Opportunity and Union County for the use of office space located on 185 Welborn street, Suite 8 in the Pat for $2760.00 for the term of the lease from October 2018-September 2019.
A second agreement is between Union County and the Department of Transportation in the amount of $31,734.00 for two local community busses to transport full-time residents from July 2018-June 2019.
Three new business owners have been approved for their licenses: Raytan, LLC located at 44 Miller Cove Rd., Stephen Murphy Rental located at 92 Bob Hensley Drive, and Blue-Sky Cabin Rentals, LLC located at 332 Cavenger Ridge Road.
Four Proclamations were added by Commissioner Paris. First, Constitution Week from September 17th-23rd 2018 with Sunday, September 17th being Constitution Day. Second, National Friend of Libraries Week, October 21st-27th 2018. Third, Suicide Prevention Month September 2018. Lastly, National Recovery Month, September 2018.
Union County School Systems Bid on Police Cars
Community September 25, 2018
Union County, Ga.—Union County School System contacted 84 vendors for bids on two potential vehicles for their Police Department. Two bids were returned from Jacky Jones Ford in Cleveland, Ga. and Ware Chevrolet in Blairsville, Ga.
Union County Schools Police Department currently owns two Dodge Durangos and has an order placed for two Dodge Durangos for 24,000 dollars each. These Durangos need additional work done as far as outfitting the vehicles with proper safety measures like lights, reflectors, sirens, etc.
Board of Education’s Assessment & Compliance Coordinator David Murphy suggested that the Board of Education go with the Jacky Jones Ford bid because the Dodge Chargers are already outfitted and there are about a 10K dollar cheaper.
Board Member Janna D. Atkins asked, “So how many vehicles do we have?”
Murphy responded, “We own two Dodge Durangos and we have another two Dodge Durangos on order. This [the Jacky Jones Ford deal] would allow us to cancel the order because the Dodge Durangos are 24,000 plus outfitting and the lights and all the equipment would make for a several thousand-dollar cost. So, this would be the cheapest option we can get.”
Janna D. Atkins replied, “So this is just a matter of us changing our minds between the Dodge Durangos and the Dodge Chargers?”
Superintendent John Hill spoke, “We found a cheaper option.”
Chairwoman Cynthia Odom stated, “Well there wasn’t any used ones available when we initially looked at them…”
Both Hill and Murphy answered, “No, ma’am.”
Murphy continued, “All the information that we got [from initial search] was 80,000-100,000-mile vehicles. We put out [bids] there for less than 40,000.”
Hill explained, “There were some cars at this price point that was low-mileage used cars, but they weren’t outfitted with all the equipment.”
In the end, there was a unanimous vote to approve the Jacky Jones Ford bid for the two new outfitted Dodge Chargers for the Union County School Police Department pursuit vehicles.