Union Local High School
Jets Anticipate Skill Positions To Fly High After 2023 Playoff Appearance
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MORRISTOWN -- Coming off a six-win season that included a first-round playoff exit, Union Local head coach Bernie Thompson is excited about his skill position players on offense and the back end of the defense but admits there is work to be done on the line on both sides of the football for 2024.
"We had great leadership last year which helped lead to six wins and we are expecting more of the same this season," Thompson said. "On offense we have some very talented skill position players, some of which are four-year starters, but there are big questions on the offensive line where we lost three four-year starters.
"Defensively we are strong at defensive back and linebacker, but again, we have to gel quickly and get the defensive front figured out."
The Jets have a good problem with a pair of starting quarterbacks returning. Senior Isaiah Tomolonis started the 2023 campaign under center before breaking his collarbone in week 6. That opened the door for sophomore, and current junior, Colby Carpenter, who directed the team down the stretch. Freshman Evan Blawut is the third quarterback on the roster.
Sophomore Brody Perzanowski is back after racking up over 1,000 yards rushing as a mere freshman and will receive plenty of help from seniors Peyton Causby and Kaden Cross and classmate Ayden Graham.
Freshman Eli Rogers is also available. Senior Logan Hess is the tight end with junior Logan Porter in the mix and freshman Trent White is also available.
The wide receiver corps is led by a pair of four-year starters in seniors Dre Saunders and Billy Schumacher, who are part of the one of the biggest strengths of the offense.
Coach Bernie Thompson discusses the upcoming season
Other who will see playing time are juniors Aiden Possage and Landon Beadling along with sophomores Blake Butkus and Karson Grigaitis and freshmen Gage Workman, Cash Fuller and Dom Franklin.
While the offensive front may be the biggest weakness on the offensive side going into the season, there is plenty of senior leadership in Daniel Goodson, Nick Grob and Mason Porter.
A pair of freshmen could round out the front five in Konnar Kovacs and Logan Webb. Depth will be provided by Brylor Vogt, juniors Gaston Pann and Brady Hunt, sophomore Daniel Lude and freshmen Isaiah Eberhart and John Brereton.
Tomolonis leads a strong group of defensive backs at corner and will be joined by Hess and Schumacher at safety. There is plenty of depth with junior Max Duncan, sophomore Cole Rogers and freshman Caden Price. Causby is back at linebacker along with Hess.
Others are juniors Ryder Gainer, Levi Lucas and Gage Davis, sophomores Izayha Hall and Charlie Grant and freshman Kam Gordon.
Just like the offensive line, the defensive front needs work but will be led by Goodson and sophomore Brody Kerns. There is relief with Grob, Porter and fellow seniors Landon Lucas and Steven Martin. Others are juniors John Kovacs and Logan McGinnis along with sophomore Carsyn Heath.
Sophomore Jeff Bolon will handle the kicking duties.
"Everyone knows that talent wins games, but you also can't do it without leadership and good culture," Thompson added.
"And I am very excited about where we are at. These kids have bought in, we have nice numbers and the efforts have been outstanding. All told, we will learn about this team during our scrimmages."
Gone from last year's team are John Sabinski, Evan White, Alex Beaver, Gannon Kerns, Colton Carpenter, Jake Toohey and Carson Lucas.
Assistant coaches are Vaughn Butler, Anthony Rocchio, Jim Hess, Tyler Grant, Ryan Kutcher and Tony Gregor.
There are two new teams on the schedule, with both being played in the first three weeks. Union Local will travel to Southern Local for the season-opener and host Indian Creek in week three.
As usual, the meat of the schedule comes in weeks 8-10 with St. Clairsville visiting before road trips to Bellaire and arch-rival Barnesville.
"Southern is a playoff caliber team that is a little smaller than us and we have never played," Thompson said.
"And we haven't played Indian Creek in a while either and it's always nice to coach against Andrew Connor.
"But the biggest thing is those last three games. We need to be playing well going into those games and we need to find a way to be successful at the end. Those have been tough games for us."