Year one under Michael Perry was a bit of a rebuilding season at Union. The Panthers won a few games and made the playoffs, but even after departing with 2-year starting QB Logan Helcher, the program is seeking a leap into the direction of double that win total. With four straight playoff appearances, the Panthers can set a record with five straight trips if and when they make it back this year. It’ll happen in an all-new Region 8-AA, as powerhouse Rabun County moved down into Class 1A.

Head Coach: Michael Perry, 2nd season
2021 Record: 3-7; State Rnd 1

2022 Schedule

AUG 19 vs FANNIN COUNTY

AUG 26 vs LUMPKIN COUNTY

SEP 2 @ TOWNS COUNTY

SEP 9 @ ARMUCHEE

SEP 16 vs WEST HALL

SEP 23 BYE

SEP 30 BYE

OCT 7 @ BANKS COUNTY^

OCT 14 vs PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN^

OCT 21 @ EAST JACKSON^

OCT 28 vs ATHENS ACADEMY^

NOV 3 (THUR) vs FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN^

^REGION 8-AA GAME

Personnel & Schemes

Key Departures: Logan Helcher, Keyton Chitwood, Trace Wright

Losing a two-year starting QB is not easy to manage. For that, Helcher, as well as long-time guys like Chitwood and Wright, will be missed greatly.

Key Returning Players: Griff Young, Cayleb Rogers, Caiden Tanner, Wilson Walker, Elijah Helton, Gage Barnes

The team returns plenty of guys that got great experience, including Griff Young, who had north of 500 receiving yards. Cayleb Rogers had about 500 total yards, as did Caiden Tanner.

Up & Coming Players: Caiden Tanner, Connor Schuknecht

Put Tanner in two categories. Keep reading to understand why. Schuknecht is a dude we think will just get better each week.

Offense: The offense reboots a little. Tanner is poised to be the starting QB after showing his athleticism. Panthers fans will need to be patient as the senior might learn the first couple of games how to make proper reads. He should do fine in this offense, and Young will be his go-to. Rogers should be the featured back.

Defense: Young. There are plenty of talented players on this side of the ball, but they’re still young and gaining experience.

Trenches: Guys like Cody Meeks and Maylon Collins-Spiva will be critical on the lines. Sophomore Beau Webster (6’0 – 310 lbs) might be a force to be reckoned with. Elijah Haynes on the DLine should be a featured player as well.

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: Athleticism. There are a lot of guys on the Panthers roster that can make you miss on defense. No one should take this team lightly.

Focusing On: Developing the defense, and progression of the offense. Both sides of the ball should improve with each passing game throughout 2022.

GAME-BY-GAME & SEASON PREDICTIONS FOR UNION COUNTY