Panthers comeback falls short, fall to Chestatee 41-28
Sports, Team FYN Sports, UCHS Football September 6, 2021
Gainesville, Georgia- The Union County Panthers traveled to Gainesville to take on the Chestatee War Eagles in a non region matchup. The Panthers look to bounce back after a loss to Fannin County in the 2021 season opener.
First Quarter
The Panthers started the game on defense and immediately had a hard time stopping the run. The War Eagles moved the ball with ease and scored quickly. The War Eagles took an early 7-0 lead. The Panthers offense quickly found some rhythm and were moving the ball. but turned the ball over inside War Eagle territory after the ball slipped out of Senior quarterback Logan Helcher’s hands. Junior Wilson Walker started the drive with a sack for an 8 yard loss. The Panthers were still having a hard time slowing down the offense as the War Eagles scored another quick touchdown to take a 14-0 lead. The Panthers turned the ball over again on the first play of the drive as Junior running back Caleb Rogers ran into Helcher as he was throwing the ball. The War Eagles took over at midfield. The Panthers stopped the War Eagles on 4 downs inside their own 20 yard line as Senior Cornerback Tyler Whitehead had a great pass breakup on 4th down. The Panthers trailed 14-0 at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
The Panthers would start the second quarter punting the ball back to the War Eagles. The War Eagles were moving the ball deep in Panther territory. Senior Cornerback Caleb John had a great pass break up but was called for a questionable pass interference. The War Eagles would score again 3 plays later to extend their lead to 20-0. The Panthers were struggling to get positive yards on the first 2 plays but gained a first down on a nice screen pass to Rogers as he picked up the first down. The Panthers drove all the way down inside the War Eagle 20 yard line and Helcher found Senior receiver Keyton Chitwood for the touchdown as Chitwood made an impressive catch over the War Eagle defender. The Panthers cut the War Eagle lead to 13. The Panthers forced a punt and got the ball back around midfield. The Panthers went for it on 4th down and picked up the 1st down to keep the drive alive. After a Panther touchdown was called back, Helcher found Rogers for a 30 yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 20-13. The Panthers finally had some rhythm on offense and were gaining confidence. The Panthers trailed 20-14 at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Panthers started the second half with the ball and picked up a quick first down as Helcher ran the ball for a 14 yard pickup. Helcher ran it again for a pickup of 6 and on the next play, faked a run and threw a Tebow jump pass to Junior Griffin Young for a first down. Helcher ran it again for another first down as the War Eagles had no answer for the Helcher run game. After a holding penalty backed the Panthers up back to midfield, the Panthers failed to pickup a first down. The Panthers attempted a 47 yard field goal with Senior Kicker Kyler Robbins but the kick was blocked. The Panther defense stood strong and stopped the War Eagles from picking up the first down. The Panthers took over at midfield and on 3rd down of the drive, Helcher found Chitwood for a 59 yard touchdown pass as the Panthers took a 21-20 lead. On the first play of the War Eagle drive, Senior Eli Peugh forced a fumble and the Panthers recovered at the War Eagle 20 yard line. The Panthers failed to pickup a first down after going for it on 4th down and gave the ball back to the War Eagles. The Panthers held strong again and forced another War Eagle punt. The Panthers picked up a quick first down as Rogers caught another screen pass for a big gain to end the third quarter. The Panthers led 21-20.
Fourth Quarter
The Panthers attempted a 4th down conversion but failed to pick up the first down to begin the fourth quarter. The War Eagles went back to their run game and started moving the ball well again. The War Eagles drove it all the way down to 1 yard line. The War Eagles would score and take a 28-21 lead after making the 2 point conversion. The Panthers were forced to punt on the next drive but the War Eagle returner fumbled the fair catch and Peugh recovered it. On 2nd down of the drive, Helcher found Young for a 20 yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 28. The War Eagles went back to their run game again and then picked up a huge gain as the War Eagle QB found the receiver over the middle. The War Eagles ran the ball over and over and scored to take a 35-28 lead late in the 4th quarter. The Panthers had multiple dropped passes on their next drive but Helcher found Sophomore Jensen Goble on 4th down to pick up the first down. On the following play, Helcher found Rogers again as he picked up another first down and stepped out of bounds. On the next play, Helcher was rolling out to the right, avoiding pressure and threw it back across the field and the pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. The Panthers comeback fell short as the War Eagles win 41-28. The Panthers fall to 0-2 on the season. The Panthers have a bye week next week and their next game will be @ Pickens County on September 17.
2021 Union County Football Season Preview
Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports, UCHS Football August 8, 2021
Blairsville, Georgia- The Union County Panthers football team is under a new head coach and staff for the 2021 season. Michael Perry was hired in March and he has brought a whole new staff with him to Union County. Thomas Nelson is a big name coach that was brought in from Murphy to be the defensive coordinator. The Panthers won’t look much different offensively but they are looking more and more confident. The Panthers struggled offensively last year under Allison, but didn’t have much experience nor good luck with injuries. The Panthers biggest question mark is the Offensive and Defensive line. The Panthers are capable of having a great year if they dominate in the trenches. Tyler Perry, brother of Head Coach Michael Perry, coaches the offensive line and Justin Byers coaches the defensive line. In the 7v7’s the Panthers have attended, they have looked more confident on offense and are executing better under the new system. Senior Quarterback Logan Helcher looks more comfortable and confident in the pocket and Senior Receiver Keyton Chitwood is playing with more confidence than all of last year. On the defensive side of the ball, Seniors Eli Peugh, Trace Wright and Juniors Wilson Walker, Elijah Helton, and Gage Barnes look to have big years under Nelson after ending on a good note last year. The Panthers lost a lot at the linebacker position but they have the capability to live up to the expectations that Noah Underwood & Clayton Lester left behind. The Panthers look to have big contributions offensively from Senior Caleb John, Sophomore Jenson Goble, and Juniors Sam Page and Griffin Young. The Panthers start the season off with a scrimmage @ Southeast Whitfield on August 13 @ 7:30. Then the Panthers travel to Fannin County on August 20 to start off the 2021 regular season.
Union County releases football game-day guidelines
Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports September 1, 2020
The Union County panthers have released their guidelines for the upcoming football season.
These guidleines are straight from Union County high school and are as follows:
- Tickets will be $7. All GHSA official passes and press passes will be allowed.
- There will be no restrictions on stadium seating.
- There will be designated seating areas for students and the band. This will be approximately half of the stadium which will reduce spectator seating capacity.
- Social distancing and mask wearing is encouraged. Signs will be posted and announcements will be made periodically throughout the contest to encourage safe health practices.
- We are working to keep both of our communities safe from the threat of COVID-19. Spectators are encouraged to self screen before arrival to the event. If you have a fever over 100.0 or have any symptoms we ask that you please stay home.
- Please help us protect our communities by following these safe health practices:
- Stay at home if you are sick, have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
- Practice social distancing between family groups.
- Wear a mask.
- Cover your cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Thank you for working with Union County Schools to ensure a successful football season.
- No fans will be allowed to enter the playing field before, after, or during the event. (The only exception is a parent escorting for homecoming or senior night)
- Under Georgia law, the Union County School District and all agents assume no liability for any injury or death attributed to COVID-19. You are assuming the risk for entering any and all events.
Concessions will be available at the event.
Pre-packed food will be served.
All concessions workers will be wearing gloves and masks.
Jones Memorial Football Camp This Saturday 7/18
Team FYN Sports, UCHS Football July 13, 2020
The 4th annual Brannon Jones Memorial Football camp will be held this Saturday July the 18th at Sardis Baseball Park in Gainesville Georgia. There will be speed and agility workouts as well as football position drills. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the camp concludes around 1:30. Lunch and a bracelet are provided and included in the 20 dollar cost of the camp, with all the proceeds going straight into a scholarship fund in memory of Brannon Jones.
A plethora of former and current Division 1 athletes will be helping coach at the camp, as well as current NFL rookie Auzoyah Alufohi, who was picked up by the Houston Texans as an un-drafted free agent this past year. Do not miss out on this opportunity to get some snaps in at a great football camp and be coached by some guys who have done it at the next level!
Defense leads Panthers to win against Banks
Sports, TeamFYNSports, UCHS Football October 19, 2019
Senior John Mancuso surges downfield after making a catch for Union County on Friday night against Banks County.
HOMER, GA – Defense was the story of the night as the Union County Panthers managed to do just enough on offense to win a hard-fought, 14-7, victory against Banks County on Friday night in Homer.
With the win, Union County (7-0, 4-0 Region 8-AA) stayed tied atop the region standings with Rabun County (7-0, 4-0). The Wildcats took down Elbert County, 52-14, last night in Elberton.
With star senior quarterback Pierson Allison suspended for the game due to violating the school’s Athletic Code of Conduct, sophomore Logan Helcher took the reins for the Panthers.
Helcher started hot on the first drive, hitting senior John Mancuso with a 47-yard, check-down pass that put the Panthers up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
Despite the big first drive, the offense struggled all night. With senior Kyle Morlock, one of the team’s leading receivers, out with an injury, and the team’s third receiver, junior Mason McCombs, out due to the same suspension as Allison, someone had to step up at the receiver position.
Senior Sloan Sutton (No. 6), junior Noah Underwood (No. 16), and senior Nathaniel Ledford (No. 74) celebrate a big stop by the Panthers defense Friday night.
That person was Mancuso, who caught both touchdown passes from Helcher that gave Union County just enough points to win.
Helcher’s second touchdown pass – three yards to Mancuso – capped off an 80-yard drive in the third quarter and proved to be the difference in the game.
But it was Mancuso and the defense that really told the story for the Panthers.
Senior linebacker Sloan Sutton recovered a fumble, junior Aaron Helton forced a fumble, and junior JJ Littles provided a late-game interception for the defense.
Sophomore Logan Helcher threw two touchdown passes in his first varsity start.
Despite the defensive effort from the Panthers, the Leopards had two chances to tie the game late. The first came with 2:25 left on the clock as they took over on their own 12-yard line.
The Panthers gave up a first down, but held strong from there to get the ball back.
The chance came after Banks managed to finally get on the board with 8:51 left in the game to cut the lead to 14-7.
The Leopards managed to recover an onside kick after the score but Littles got the ball back a few plays later with the interception. The offense couldn’t do anything with it and gave the Leopards their last few chances.
After stopping the Leopards on their next-to-last possession, the Union County offense stalled.
Banks County then took over near midfield with six seconds left.
The Panthers defense stood up again, forcing the Leopards into a last-ditch lateral attempt from the 48-yard line that failed as time expired.
Banks County had three turnovers on the night, two in Union County territory, which really proved to be the difference.
The Union County offense struggled in the absence of so many key players, managing to score 36 points less than the team’s average this season.
Union County hosts Oglethorpe County (2-5, 1-3) next Friday, Oct. 25, before visiting Social Circle (2-5, 0-4) on Nov. 1. Should the Panthers hold serve and win both games, they should face Rabun County with the region championship on the line Nov. 8 in Blairsville. Rabun County also faces Social Circle and Oglethorpe County before the matchup with Union County.
With Friday night’s victory, Union County has virtually guaranteed a place in the Class AA state playoffs.
TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week: Sloan Sutton, No. 6
Player of the Week, TeamFYNSports, UCHS Football October 5, 2019
Union County High School senior Sloan Sutton is pictured with mother, Jenni Dixon, after the Panthers’ big win against Elbert County on Friday night.
Union County High School senior Sloan Sutton is this week’s TeamFYNSports Writer’s Player of the Week!
Sutton anchors the Panthers’ defense as a middle linebacker and serves as the No. 2 running back for the team.
Friday night against Elbert County, Sutton’s name was said over the loudspeaker time and time again as he made play after play on defense, especially in the first half.
Sutton’s performance was even bigger than usual. The Panthers’ offense struggled early and relied on their defense to keep them in the game.
Sutton and the Panthers’ defense delivered, holding the visiting Blue Devils to just 14 points and forcing three turnovers.
For his strong performance anchoring the Union County defense in a big Region 8-AA victory, Sloan Sutton is the Player of the Week!
Panthers to host Blue Devils tonight in Region 8-AA clash
Featured Stories October 4, 2019
BLAIRSVILLE, GA –The Panthers might have their hands full tonight as they try to remain undefeated when region-foe Elbert County visits Blairsville.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Union County (5-0, 2-0 Region 8-AA) comes in sporting a high-octane offense that is averaging nearly 54 points per game. The team may need every bit of that offensive power against Elbert County (3-2, 2-0), which brings to Blairsville a defense that is surrendering just 17.6 points per game.
As the two units face off, something will have to give for the Panthers and head coach Brian Allison.
On offense, Allison said Friday morning that the Panthers will have to make sure they are playing with good technique.
Union County High football head coach Brian Allison
“First, we’ve got to make sure we’re blocking low and are able to run the football; that will be the key for us,” Allison said.
The Panthers run a lot of single-back formations on offense with senior quarterback Pierson Allison in the shotgun. When they do run the ball, most runs are called options that require Allison to read the defense and either hand the ball off or pull it down and run.
Allison has carried the ball 25 times for 240 yards and five scores this season, while throwing for 1,553 yards, 18 touchdowns and a completion percentage of nearly 69 percent.
Allison has connected with two seniors and two juniors for nearly all his passes.
Seniors Kyle Morlock and Sawyer Drake have both caught six touchdowns through five games. Morlock has a team-high 528 yards on 21 catches, while Drake has 465 yards on a team-high 27 catches.
Junior running back Jonah Daniel has 122 yards on eight catches and two receiving touchdowns out of the backfield. He’s also the other half of the main option attack for the Panthers and leads the team in carries (71), rushing yards (798), and rushing touchdowns (10). Daniel has recorded at least 100 yards on the ground in four games this season.
Junior Mason McCombs rounds out the top four receivers on the team with 11 catches, 208 yards, and three touchdowns.
Despite the great numbers, it will take more than offense to earn the Panthers a win tonight.
Both of the visiting Blue Devils’ losses this season have been to teams from higher classes. The most recent was a 28-24 loss to Class AAAA’s undefeated North Oconee three weeks ago.
Elbert County has also been able to put points on the board through two region wins this season.
The Blue Devils’ first region game, at Oglethorpe County on Sept. 20, ended on a running clock with the score 64-0. The team followed that with a 56-7 domination of Social Circle last Friday in Elberton.
If the Panthers want to remain unbeaten in Region 8-AA, the defense is going to have to play better than it did a week ago in Eatonton.
The Panthers gave up 57 points to Putnam County last Friday, the most since 2017, and they are allowing opposing offenses to score more than 21 points per game.
Elbert County, much like Putnam County, is led by a dynamic running back/quarterback duo that will be the key to the game for the Panthers.
“They are both really good players, so we have to make sure we stop their run game and maybe generate a few turnovers,” Coach Allison said Friday. “We have to try to do what we do best and not try and change anything, other than to make sure we are making good tackles and that we are in good position on defense.”
The Union County defense is led by junior Clayton Lester with 39 tackles (22 solo). Junior Noah Underwood is right behind him with 38 tackles (19 solo) and senior Sloan Sutton has added 37 tackles (17 solo).
On offense, Sutton has also added 136 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown for the Panthers.
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.
Panthers pound Hurricanes for fourth win of season
Sports, TeamFYNSports, UCHS Football September 21, 2019
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – The Panthers continued to pour on the points during a win Friday night at home in the Region 8-AA season opener.
With touchdowns coming on the ground and through the air, Union County High put up more than 50 points for the second time in the first four games, beating Monticello, 53-21, in Blairsville.
“Great job on offense and a great job on defense,” coach Brian Allison said after the game. “We are getting better every week.”
Junior running back Jonah Daniel celebrates after scoring a 31-yard rushing touchdown Friday night.
Opening the region schedule with a win is important if the Panthers want to return to the state playoffs a year after being put out in the first round.
“This was a region win with a little adversity at the front of it, which is good for us going forward,” Allison said. While the final score wasn’t close, the visitors did close within two scores early in the third quarter, but the Union County offense proved too potent and too quick for Monticello.
Union County (4-0, 1-0) was led by senior quarterback Pierson Allison, who accounted for six touchdowns in the Panthers’ big win.
Allison was 26-for-32 for 490 yards and four touchdowns in the air, while adding 44 yards and a touchdown on eleven carries.
The offensive line was anchored by senior center Drake Groves. Both the offensive and defensive lines were working at a loss Friday night as they had to operate without senior Wright Hogsed.
Hogsed went out during last week’s victory over Fannin County. He’s set to miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL ligament.
Senior Sawyer Drake dives into the end zone at the end of his 55-yard touchdown catch Friday night.
Friday night, the offensive line gave Allison plenty of time to spread the ball around to six different receivers, including senior Kyle Morlock.
Morlock had six catches for 138 yards and a touchdown, while blocking well on the outside. Morlock leads the team with 356 yards on 14 catches and four touchdowns receiving through the first four games this season.
Fellow senior Sawyer Drake also had a big night with 155 yards and a touchdown on seven catches for the Panthers, who scored on eight of their 10 possessions.
On defense, the Panthers forced six punts on a night in which they dominated for most of the game. The visiting Hurricanes managed to hit a few long plays for scores, but for the most part, the Union County defense was stingy throughout.
Juniors Noah Underwood and Clayton Lester each recorded 11 tackles for the Panthers. Senior John Mancuso added a sack and senior Zion Ross intercepted a late pass to lead the way for the defense.
Junior Jonah Daniel had another big night on the ground, carrying the ball 11 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.
The Union County offense benefitted from big plays, scoring passing touchdowns of 69, 55, 49, and 33 yards, and rushing touchdowns of 70 and 22 yards.
Union County will stay within the region for the remainder of the season. The Panthers hit the road next week, visiting Putnam County with the hope of beginning 2-0 in 8-AA.
The Panthers and the War Eagles are set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, in Eatonton.
Panthers win sixth straight over Rebels
Sports, TeamFYNSports, UCHS Football September 14, 2019
BLUE RIDGE, GA – Despite being called for a flurry of penalties on both sides of the ball, the Union County football team took down area-rival Fannin County, 33-14, Friday, September 13, in Blue Ridge.
The win is the sixth in a row for the Panthers over the Rebels, and moves Union County to 3-0 on the season.
“All we heard all week was that they were bigger and faster, but you can’t measure heart and you can’t measure effort,” head coach Brian Allison said after the game. “We played hard, and we earned the win. We made a lot of mistakes, but that’s something we are going to clean up over the next week.”
The Panthers were led by senior quarterback Pierson Allison, who threw for 230 yards and four touchdowns on 14-for-24 passing, while adding 34 yards on the ground and an interception on defense.
While the Panthers led 20-0 with 1:46 left in the third quarter, the home team Rebels wouldn’t go quietly. Fannin County scored with 8:54 to go in the fourth, then again with 4:40 to go, to pull within a touchdown.
But the Panthers responded immediately, with Allison tossing a 55-yard touchdown pass to fellow senior Kyle Morlock on the first play from scrimmage during the ensuing possession.
Morlock finished the night with two touchdown catches on 86 yards receiving.
Leading 26-14 with 4:22 to go, the Panthers defense stood tough against a rapid passing attack from the Rebels.
After several passing completions from the Rebels, Panthers senior Sloan Sutton managed to step in front of a pass and pull down an interception to give Union County the ball back with less than three minutes to go.
Senior running back Jonah Daniel did the rest from there, busting off a 32-yard touchdown run to put Union County up 33-14 with 1:23 left in the game.
Senior Josh Orr managed to pick off the Fannin County quarterback against with less than a minute remaining to seal the deal for the Panthers.
Daniel finished the night with 159 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Sutton and juniors Aaron Helton and Clayton Lester each added sacks on the night for the Panther defense.
Junior Mason McCombs added 69 yards receiving and a touchdown, while fellow senior Sawyer Drake hauled in 48 yards and a touchdown catch in the air.
Union County will open the Region 8-AA at home next Friday, September 20, against Monticello, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Blairsville.
Player of the Week – Pierson Allison
Player of the Week August 25, 2018
Junior quarterback, Pierson Allison, had a huge first game as signal caller against East Hall. This was Allisons first start at QB, but with his performance, you would think he was a veteran. Pierson completed 24 passes on 32 attempts for 232 yards. Please help us congratulate Mr.Allison on his first FYN player of the week. Go Panthers!
Rebels and Panthers Battle In JV Action
Business October 21, 2018
The Junior Varsity squads for the Union Panthers and the Fannin Rebels battled it out on the football field last Thursday at Fannin High School Stadium. As the sub-varsity schedule starts winding down these two teams came ready to play and do their best to earn a hard fought victory.
The captains come to the center of the field for the coin toss in which the Panthers won and chose to receive the football to start the second half. The Rebels took the ball to start the game. Both of the defenses started strong and kept the game scoreless late in the first quarter. With 3 minutes and 58 
seconds in quarter the Rebels pushed a score across the goal line making the score 7-0. The Rebels forced a turnover and on the ensuing possession added 7 more with 3:13 on the clock. The start of the 2nd quarter saw the momentum change to the Panther side of the ball. The Union offense started firing on all cylinders to put up 14 points of their own. Back deep for the panthers was #7 who took a Rebel kick off 80 yards for a panthers score. As a receiver he also had an 88 yard catch and run for another 7 to bring the score at 14 a piece to end the first half of play.
With the choice by the Panthers to receive the ball in the second half the Rebels placed the ball on the tee. Catching everyone off guard, Fannin executed a perfect on side kick and recovered to take possession at the Panthers 48 yard line. The Panthers defense brought the Rebel drive to a quick halt and took over on downs switching the energy back to their side once again. The Rebels coaching staff took an opportunity to get the 8th grade squad in the game for some very valuable experience. These younger players played hard and competed to the level of the game. The Panthers were able to put up 2 touchdowns in the third quarter bringing the score to 28-14 over the Rebels. The game would end with that score in favor of the Panthers Junior Varsity. The Panthers had over 350 total yards to the Rebels 273 yards. Each team had several penalties called against them but played very well in an exciting game. Can’t wait to see these young athletes play at the varsity level for Union and Fannin in the coming years.
