Union Local High School
Bernie And The Jets Look To Grow From Last Year’s Late-Season Slide
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MORRISTOWN -- Union Local experienced all the highs and lows a football team could possibly witness during the 2022 season.
After starting the campaign a perfect 5-0, the Jets dropped their last five games to finish the season at .500. Now, coach Bernie Thompson and his crew are ready to take that experience and not only learn from it but grow from it in 2023.
"Last year was a tale of two stories," Thompson said. "We started out hot but just couldn't finish on the back end. We lost those last four or five games by a total of like 10 points combined. It was a brutal back half but we're excited about what we have coming back."
Among 10 seniors who picked up diplomas a season ago are quarterback Carter Blake, running back Jaksan Price and lineman Carson Causby. Last year's leaders will certainly leave a void on and off the field but Thompson believes this year's seniors are ready for the challenge.
"Obviously losing Jaksan Price, Carter Blake and Carson Causby will be hard because they were four-year starters," Thompson said. "They will be hard to replace but the big thing coming into this season is our leadership. We lost about 10 seniors last year but we are about to have 10 more seniors this year. I'm super pleased with how these seniors have been leading us all offseason. They are leading by example with hard work and getting everybody to buy in.
"You can just see our culture taking over with the kids at practice. We aren't constantly harping on things at the beginning to set the tone. The guys are just falling into place and they know what we expect from them, which makes our jobs a little bit easier."
Coach Bernie Thompson on the upcoming season
With seniors such as Jake Toohey, Coye Fillipovich, Coltyn Carpenter, Matt Keller, Johnny Sabinski, Evan White, Carson Lucas, Alex Beaver and Gannon Kerns ready to take the reins, Thompson is focused on the team simply taking the next step and finishing what they started.
"We are really excited about where we are from a culture standpoint," Thompson said. "This year we are looking to take that next step. We were just plays away from being 10-0 last year. We were 0-10 a few short years ago and we flipped the script and now we have that winning mentality where we are showing up expecting to win games."
In order to take that next step, the Jets will rely on their performance in the trenches.
"Our guys have been in the weight room and we have some strong kids," Thompson said. "It starts up front with our offensive and defensive lines. We have all of our kids back but one this year. Heading that group is senior Johnny Sabinski, along with fellow seniors Alex Beaver, Carson Lucas and Evan White. They were all starters from last year. We had the Shadyside Lineman Challenge and we are back-to-back champs there. Daniel Goodson is a junior and he will be our new center this year. He is a hard-nosed kid and he is a wrestler so we are really excited for him. Then we have some young guys like juniors Nick Grob and Mason Porter who are hungry and fighting for spots."
Senior Jake Toohey is another returning lineman for the Jets but he will be taking on a new role this year.
"Toohey will be lining up at running back for us this year," Thompson said. "He was our center last year. He went from a running back to a center because we needed him there and now he's back at running back. It took him a couple of days but he is finding his groove again and feeling more at home now. He's an athlete and a strong kid. He's one of our leaders so we're going to look for him to carry the load. Senior Matt Keller and junior Kaden Cross have been working their tails off all summer to be ready too, so it will be a backfield by committee."
With those three looking to fill the shoes of Price, the quarterback position will also be up for grabs but Thompson says the battle for the top spot is heating up.
"It's hard to replace a Jaksan Price and a Carter Blake in the backfield," Thompson said. "They were all-state players but at QB we have junior Isaiah Tomolonis and sophomore Coltyn Carpenter battling it out in camp. I like the progress that both of them have made thus far. They are both doing a phenomenal job of leading the offense."
Those two quarterbacks will have plenty of talent and experience to work with in the passing game as the Jets return three standout receivers.
"Outside is where our strength lies," Thompson said of the receiving corps. "We return three guys in juniors Dre Saunders and Billy Schumacher, and senior Gannon Kerns. Gannon is back after he missed all of last year with an injury but he had a standout sophomore year so we're excited to have him back. Coltyn Carpenter is another senior leader for us there as well."
On the opposite side of the ball, Sabinski, Beaver and Lucas will shine on the defensive line, making it difficult for the opposing offenses.
Opponents will also be keeping an eye on the Union Local linebackers, where more returning lettermen will be roaming the field.
"Our linebackers are going to be fun to watch," Thompson said. "We were young at linebacker last year but they are all back this year. Juniors Peyton Causby and Logan Hess, along with Jake Toohey and Daniel Goodson are all back. They all bring a sense of relief because they have all played there before."
One area where experience is not the Jets' strong point is in the secondary. However, Thompson is hopeful that the talent of his corners and safeties will make up for that.
"We lost three seniors in our secondary," Thompson said. "But, Isaiah Tomolonis is a phenomenal athlete and a great corner. Gannon Kerns and Coltyn Carpenter will share the safety role, while Billy Schumaker and Dre Saunders will spend time at the other corner. I think what we lack in experience we will make up for in talent in the secondary."
Rounding out the roster are juniors Sean Alkire, Zach Moore, Brylor Vogt, Nate Stratton, Brice Pitner and Landon Lucas; sophomores Landon Woods, Logan Porter, Landon Beadling, Max Duncan, Ryder Gainer, Levi Lucas, John Kovacs, Logan McGinnis, Gaston Pann, Timmy Neer, Daniel Lude, Brady Hunt and Zach Smithberger; and freshmen Cole Rodgers, Blake Butkus, Brody Gregor, Josh McGraw, Brody Kerns, Karson Grigaitis, Brody Perzanowski, Izayah Hall, Ayden Graham, Bam Porter, Gavin McVay, Charlie Grant, Konnor Kovacs, Logan Webb, Nate Barb, Xavier Gossett and Nick Moore.
Joining Thompson on the coaching staff are Vaughn Butler (defensive coordinator), Ryan Kutcher (O-Line, D-Line), Anthony Rocchio (offensive coordinator), Tyler Grant (linebackers), Ryan Carpenter (O-Line, D-Line), Jimmy Hess (WR/DB), Joe Toohey (O-Line, D-Line), Tony Gregor (running backs), Eric Kerns (junior high), Doug Stephens (junior high), Luke Menges (junior high) and Dakota Hess (junior high).