The Panthers are fresh off a 5th straight playoff appearance and nearly reached the Quarterfinals with a young and talented group. With nearly all big playmakers returning, Union County’s program has a lot of hype surrounding it for 2023, with expectations sky-high.

Head Coach: Michael Perry, 3rd season
2022 Record: 8-4; 2nd Round

“We expect to be contending for a region title, and go two rounds or more into the playoffs if we stay healthy,” states head coach Michael Perry.

2023 SCHEDULE – UNION COUNTY

AUG 18 @ FANNIN COUNTY

AUG 25 @ LUMPKIN COUNTY

SEP 1 vs TOWNS COUNTY

SEP 8 vs ARMUCHEE

SEP 15 @ WEST HALL

SEP 22 BYE

SEP 29 BYE

OCT 6 vs BANKS COUNTY^

OCT 13 @ PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN^

OCT 20 @ EAST JACKSON^

OCT 27 vs ATHENS ACADEMY^

NOV 2 (THUR) @ FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN^

^REGION 8-AA GAME

Personnel & Schemes

Key Departures: Gage Barnes, Wilson Walker, Griff Young

Replacing 109 tackles and 8 sacks isn’t going to be tough, as Barnes was fantastic on defense. Same with Walker, who had 92 tackles. Griff Young is a tough loss on offense as well, as he was a solid receiver the past couple of years.

Returning Starters: 8 on offense; 8 on defense

Key Returning Players: Caiden Tanner, Jensen Goble, Braylen Rader, Connor Shuknecht, Seth Rutan, Lane Lance, Cade Dockery

Caiden Tanner emerged as a spectacular QB last season with 2,893 passing yards and 24 TD while rushing for 284 yards and 8 TD. He has go-to target Jensen Goble (1,016 yds, 9 TD) and standout RBs Braylen Rader (805 yds, 9 TD) and Connor Shuknect (514 yds, 4 TD). Seth Rutan and Lane Lance will return to anchor the defense.

Up & Coming Players: Cade Dockery (SO WR/RB/FS), Jackson Totherow (FR LT)

Offense: Spread/Air Raid

QB Caiden Tanner will lead the attack, and Shuknect and Rader will get the bulk of the carries. Goble leads a solid WR room. This offense is special.

Defense: 3-3

LB Seth Rutan, DL Lane Lance, and FS Cade Dockery all three will be the leaders on this side of the ball.

Trenches: “At DL, it’s probably the deepest we have been ever,” says Perry. “We have 5 guys that can go. Lane Lance anchors the defense line and has a bright future ahead of him (Similar to Luther Jones). At OL, We replace two starters from graduation, but we are very optimistic about the young talent coming up.”

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: “Offensively, I think we will be really good,” says Perry. “Like 2019 good! First, because our kids know the offense even better in year 3. Caiden Tanner is extremely talented, accurate, and smart at QB. Second. our WR room is deep at every position starting 4 seniors with a full year of varsity experience (Jensen Goble, Ethan McBride, Tyler Grasty and Zack Taylor). Third, then lastly both of our backs from last year return in Conner Shuknect and Braylon Rader.”

Focusing On:  “We changed defensive coordinators this year, and although we haven’t changed the base,” says Pery. “We have changed some concepts.”

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