The Panthers pen a new chapter as long-time coach Brian Allison departs Blairsville. That opens the door for Michael Perry to see if he can right the ship after a 4-6 year. That win total was the lowest since 2011 for Union County, though it resulted in a state playoff berth in a 4-team region. Perry will have a chance to rebuild the culture from the ground up.

Head Coach: Michael Perry, 1st Season
2020 Record: 4-6; 1st Round

“We want to compete at every single opportunity and improve in all phases from week to week,” states Perry.

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2021 Schedule

AUG 20 – @ Fannin County
AUG 27 – Commerce
SEP 3 – @ Chestatee
SEP 10 – BYE
SEP 17 – @ Pickens County
SEP 24 – vs Robbinsville (NC)
OCT 1 – @ Riverside*
OCT 8 – Banks County*
OCT 15 – @ Elbert County*
OCT 22 – BYE
OCT 29 – Rabun County*
NOV 5 – @ Gilmer County

*Region 8-AA Game

Personnel & Schemes

Key Departures: Jonah Daniel, Aaron Helton, Clayton Lester, Noah Underwood, Mason McCombs, JJ Littles, Kaston Hemphill, Hunter Young

Key Returning Players: Carson Walker, Keyton Chitwood, Trace Wright, Logan Helcher

The Panthers lose a ton of key players, beginning with long-time reliable RB Jonah Daniel (missed bulk of season last year with injury). There are definitely some players like Carson Walker, Trace Wright, Keyton Chitwood, and Logan Helcher who should contribute heavily, but there’s definitely a matter of figuring out who the QB is as well as a go-to back that will likely determine the success of the offense at least.

Up & Coming Players: Perry lists Helcher, Chitwood, and Wilson Walker as up and comers as well.

Offense: Air Raid. Logan Helcher at QB, Eli Peugh at RB, Keyton Chitwood and Wilson Walker at WR and Gage Barnes at TE.

Defense: Multiple. Gage Barnes (LB), Trace Wright (DB), and Elijah Helton (LB) the keys on defense.

Trenches: Young and inexperienced.

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: The QB unit. “Logan Helcher and Caiden Tanner have improved immensely since the spring,” says Perry. “They work extremely hard and are starting to understand what we are looking for in terms of decision making.”

Focusing On: Trenches. “Lines of scrimmage are really young and inexperienced,” adds Perry.