Editor’s Note: This is the first in a five-part series looking at the upcoming schedule of our local football teams.
After losing quarterback Tradarius Harris to graduation, Union coach Brad Breland heads into the summer and season with a lot of unknowns.
“I know what we have in that locker room and honestly, I don’t have a clue where we stack up,” Breland said. “A lot will depend on how our quarterback play pans out. We don’t have to have a game breaker like Tradarius, we just have to have somebody who can manage the huddle and the field for us. They don’t have to win any games, they just can’t lose it for us.”
The Yellowjackets will open the season with Choctaw Central before making the Winston County swing against Nanih Waiya and Noxapater.
“Choctaw always plays well against us,” Breland said. “We have been playing them the second game and sometimes they struggle in the first game and make big improvements toward the second game so I know playing them right off the bat will be a tough draw for us, especially as young as we are going to be.
“Then we go to Nanih Waiya. They were south State runners-ups and have everybody back. I know they are looking to make a run this year. They have both of those running backs and most of their line back. I know they will be really strong. And then we have Noxapater at home. Don’t know what they will have but they were young in a lot of places last year.”
The Jackets will then have an open date before hosting Newton County and Madison St. Joseph before starting division play.
“I think the open date will come at a good time,” Breland said. “I know it’s only three games into the season but when you talk about starting to practice on July 31, it will be pretty close to the middle of the season for us.
“After that we have Newton County. That’s always a good rivalry game for us. It’s been really close the last couple of years, We made some big plays last year and got up on them. They will be young in some areas and we will be young. I guess we will get to see who has grown up the most by then. Madison will be tough. I saw where they won a 7 on 7 tournament in Jackson last weekend. They had some good skill and receivers last year.”
The Yellowjackets will then open Division play with Lake, who is now coached by Tate Hanna who was a volunteer assistant with Union last year and previously coached under Breland.
“They struggled a little bit last year but now they have Coach (Tate) Hanna over there,” Breland said. “They will be tough and physical. He will know every move we are going to make and we will know every move they are going to make. We go way back. He’s a really good friend. It’s always a good competitive game but you hate playing somebody you are that close to, kind of like it was with Jeff. With our district being as competitive as it’s going to be, that’s a big game.”
After Lake, the Jackets will play Scott Central on Oct. 6 after not playing the Rebels in recent years. After the Rebels, Union must prepare for old rival, Philadelphia.
“I read where Philly has 20 starters back from a team that has been playing 3A,” Breland said. “I know they were a playoff team. I would think they would be one of the front runners to play for the state championship this year or at least make a deep run in the playoffs. We played them for four years, we won two and they won two.”
Then the Jackets will travel to Newton to take on the Tigers, who took a 28-26 win over the Jackets last year.
“Newton has a lot of skill guys,” Breland said. “I know they lost some of their coaches but know they will put athletes in every position. They will put pressure on us. All four of those are close. Scott Central is the farthest one and that’s just 25 miles. I’m glad we are all back together.”
The Jackets will end the regular season with Enterprise in a non-division contest. Last year, Union beat Enterprise 37-20.
