HEAD COACH: Michael Perry, 2nd season ♦ CAREER RECORD: 32-31, seventh season ♦ 2022 SEASON: 8-4, Class 2A second round ♦ REGION: 8-2A
The Panthers have long been known for their explosive offense. And they should be on par for another big-numbers season in 2023 with the return of last year’s Region 8-2A offensive player of the year in senior quarterback Caiden Tanner and senior first-team all-region receiver Jensen Goble.
But for coach Michael Perry, the key element for this summer has been the addition of new strength coach Curtis Turner, who came back to Blairsville after stops at Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, and Georgia Southern.
“Coach Turner has done an amazing job with our group over the offseason,” Perry said. “We are twice as strong as a team than we were last season at this time, and that is really going to make a huge difference as the season goes on.”
However, it gets even better for the Panthers offense, as Tanner (2,893 yards, 24 TD, 8 INT) and Goble (87 rec., 1,016 yards, 9 TD) are part of seven returnees on a unit that averaged 28.4 points/game in 2022.
“These guys have had a great summer overall,” Perry said. “We’ve been able to start adding some stuff to the offense that we probably couldn’t have done last year. It could be a really fun year for us if everyone stays healthy.”
The offensive line has some holes to fill with only two returning starters back. Senior Cody Meeks moved to center after playing last year at guard, and the other returning starter will be Mayo Collins-Spiva, who will start at tackle. Junior Kaden Combs, who saw playing time in 2022, will start at guard this year. But they will need to find the rest of the pieces to give Tanner protection.
Defensively they also return seven but will have to rework the linebacking group.
GRADUATION STINGS
LB Gage Barnes, DE Elijah Haynes
FIREWORKS IN BLAIRSVILLE!
The Panthers piled up over 28 ppg in 2022 with an offensive unit that was still learning. With more than 80 percent of their production returning and a year more experienced, this has the makings that could challenge some of the program’s best units. Senior RB Braylen Rader also may be ready for a big season.
“Braylen has had a tremendous spring and summer, and we’re expecting some big things from him,” Perry said.
STAYING ON THE DEFENSIVE
Union County improved by more than 10 ppg on defense in 2022 and return 7, including starting defensive ends Lane Lance (senior first-team all-region) and fellow senior David Heredia, who was named to the 8-2A honorable mention list last year.
“We’re super happy they’re coming back because they cause a lot of havoc in the backfield, and so they’ll be a highly, highly counted-on force,” Perry said.
PASS THE BALL
Perry has the pieces in place to finally put his full air attack in place. They improved by nearly a touchdown from Year 1 to Year 2, and now Tanner & Co. look poised for a huge season. He says running the ball will be the key.
“If we’re going to be any good at all, it’s because we’re going to be able to run the football,” Perry said. “If we can’t run the football, then we’re going to have a lot of issues because it makes everything in the passing game so much easier.”
SENIOR RECEIVERS
Goble (87 rec., 1,016 yards, 9 TD), along with senior TE Tyler Grasty (23 rec., 304 yards, 1 TD), Sr. WR Ethan McBride (16 rec., 170 yards,1 TD), and Sr. WR Zack Taylor (14 rec., 217 yards, 4 TD) give Tanner some talented options in the passing game.
“Grasty is another guy that has had a phenomenal summer,” Perry said.
PATH TO REGION TITLE LIES ON THE ROAD
The road to a home playoff game, a goal Perry thinks is certainly attainable, will rest on the road. The Panthers play three of their five region games away from Blairsville, including a season-finale tilt at defending region champ and semifinalist Fellowship Christian.
WHAT’S TRENDING
It has been a rebuilding process for Perry, but that may have come to an end after last year’s run to the second round. They more than doubled their win total and posted their most wins since 2019 (10). They are definitely a team on the rise and may be ready to challenge for a region title.
(Caleb Hutchins contributed to this story.)
