The Panthers put together one heck of a season, complete with an 8-4 record and second round appearance in the playoffs. Union County was ranked inside the top-10 a couple of times during the year, and had a stellar offense that scored 422 points, the most since 2019. Overall, it was a unit that averaged 35.2 points against a defense that gave up 23.8 and worked around several injuries.

The bad news for coach Michael Perry’s team is the loss of skill players and standout defenders – Caiden Tanner, Jensen Goble, Braylen Rader, Tyler Grasty on offense leave some huge shoes to fill. Defensively, Union parts ways with Lane Lance, David Heredia, and Seth Rutan among others. Those are monumental gaps. Cade Dockery emerged last year (374 rec yds, 3 TD; 3 INT) and will only be a junior. He is an option at QB, or Chetley Cox (31 pass yds; 46 rush yds) who dipped his toes in the water last year while also being the JV starter. Tyler Parker could be a go-to option at WR, Connor Schuknecht (248 yds, 2 TD) is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he made an impact in the backfield. Ethan Lester (127 TKL, 8 TFL), Schuknecht (74 TKL), Dockery (46 TKL, 3 INT), and Dusty Aaron (41 TKL, 8 TFL) are the 4 returning starters on defense.

The Panthers have revealed their 2024 schedule, in the all-new 7-AA, which now features a completely new group of opponents.

2024 SCHEDULE

AUG 16 – BYE
AUG 23 – @ Gilmer
AUG 30 – vs Fannin County
SEP 6 – vs Murray County*
SEP 13 – @ Rockmart*
SEP 20 – vs North Murray*
SEP 27 – @ Lakeview FO*
OCT 4 – @ Ringgold*
OCT 11 – BYE
OCT 18 – @ Coahulla Creek*
OCT 25 – vs Sonoraville*
NOV 1 – vs North Cobb Christian*

*Region 7-AA