SCHEDULE PREVIEW
This is the second in a series of stories looking at the schedules of the high school football teams in the Newton County Appeal’s coverage area.
Union football coach Brad Breland will enter the 2018 football season in an unusual position, on a seven-game losing streak.
When looking at his upcoming season, Breland knows one thing for sure.
“We have to stay healthy, that’s the main thing,” Breland said. “We had five ACL injuries last year. I’ve gone 10 years and not had that many ACL injuries. I don’t know if it was because we had so many young players out there. And we need to get a little more buy in. We have a bunch of kids who have made 100 percent of the workouts. But we have some who have only made nine or 10. You can’t win big if you have 50 percent participation.”
The Yellowjackets open the season with Choctaw Central, who is yet to name a head coach for the 2018 season.
“You don’t really know a lot about them from year to year,” Breland said. “That’s one that we need to get. It’s very important that we have some success early and get that nasty taste out of their mouth. We need to see some positive results early so they can see the fruits of their labors.”
Then on Aug. 24, the Yellowjackets will host 1A powerhouse Nanih Waiya in the home opener. The Warriors were 14-1 last year and lost in the 1A title game.
“I know their line will be really good,” Breland said. “They have a guy committed to Ole Miss on the line so our line will have to step up. They have played for two years together and I’m expecting for them to be better.”
Then on Aug. 31, the Warriors will finish their Winston County march as they travel to Noxapater, a team they beat 22-20 last year for their last win of the season.
“It has been a competitive game,” Breland said. “Last year we won in the last minute. I know they feel like they feel like they let one slip away. They are one of the upper level 1A schools and have some really good athletes.”
The Yellowjackets will open September with a home game with J.Z. George, a Class 3A football team that went 2-9 last year.
“I was actually on my cruise and their coach texted me and asked me if had filled that open date and wanted to know if we were interested in playing,” Breland said. “I talked with our administration and coaches and they were all fine with playing. I just felt like it was better to play it.”
After playing the Jaguars, the Yellowjackets will make the short trip to play rival Newton County, a game the Yellowjackets lost to give the Cougars’ their only win.
“We had some bad stuff happen,” Breland said. “We didn’t overcome that. We got down in scoring territory a couple of times and didn’t score. They also have a new head coach and have gotten several players out. I know their skill guys are vastly improved and a lot better than they were last year.”
The Yellowjackets will end their non-division schedule with another new coach against Madison St. Joseph, who is coached by former Mississippi State quarterback John Bond.
“Their roster kind of changes from year to year with people coming in and out,” Breland said. “I’m sure with John being there, they will have a little extra excitement. I don’t have a clue of what to expect from them though.”
The Yellowjackets will open Division 4-2A play at Lake.
“Lake was the surprise team in the division last year and tied for the championship,” Breland said. “I know they have more players coming back than anybody else. I know they are expecting to have a good year.”
The month of October begins with another serious test against Scott Central, a team that handed the Yellowjackets a 64-0 loss last year.
“They have a new coach as well,” Breland said. “They also have a lot of players coming back. I know they lost their quarterback and he was really good. I know they have a lot of pieces to the puzzle coming back. I know they are thinking they can make another run this year.”
On Oct. 12, Union will make another short trip up Miss. Hwy 15 to take on Philadelphia and new coach Bobby Hall.
“I’m sure they will be big and athletic,” Breland said. “I know they lost a lot of players but they always have players and are always big. Coach Hall always does a good job and I don’t expect anything different out of him this year.”
On Oct. 19, Union will host another county rival in Newton, a team that has beaten them the last two years.
“I really don’t know what to think about Newton,” Breland said. “They lost a ton of really talented players from last year. They have a new coach as well. I’m sure they will be athletic like they always are.”
The Jackets will end the regular season on Oct. 26 against Enterprise, a 2A playoff team from last year.
“They kind of took it to us last year,” Breland said. “They were a lot like us, they were really young. I think they will be really strong.”
2018 Union High School Football Schedule
Date Opponent 2017 result
Aug. 17 at Choctaw Central W, 32-10
Aug. 24 Nanih Waiya L, 48-6
Aug. 31 at Noxapater W, 22-20
Sept. 7 J.Z. George Did not meet
Sept. 14 at Newton County L, 13-0
Sept. 21 Madison St. Joseph L, 35-0
Sept. 28 at Lake L, 34-0
Oct. 5 Scott Central L, 64-0
Oct. 12 at Philadelphia L, 56-6
Oct. 19 Newton L, 38-16
Oct. 26 Enterprise L, 46-12
