Union County High School —in its fourth year since consolidation— and head coach David Lipsey wasted little time creating a monster as the Jackets won its first region title last year.

The Jackets have raised the bar again and look to top it with a state title this year.

Lipsey says it was a culmination of things that last year’s team possessed and he hopes the 2010 Jackets will carry over its philosophies.

“Last year’s team was resilient. Even though they had their ups and downs, they kept working. Every Monday, they came to work. They perservered and we want to bring that mentality back,“ Lipsey said.

The Yellow Jackets finished one game over .500 in 2009 but made it deep in the playoffs before losing to the eventual state champion Clinton Red Devils.

Region III-3A is the state’s toughest 3A region in football. Clinton is the defending 3A state champion, Greer is always competitive and maybe more than ever as most of its starters return. Chapman played in the ‘07 2A state title. Chapin and Blue Ridge will be tough road games for the Jackets.

Coaches are optimistic about 2010, and righfully so. The Yellow Jackets traditional non-region chedule is one of the state’s tougest. The Jackets play 4A schools like Spartanburg, Gaffney and Laurens. Woodruff and Broome will travel to Union County Stadium to face the Jackets.

“We’re excited about this team and the young guys have a lot of potential. We have good leadership from our seniors,” Lipsey said.

The Yellow Jackets’ have 21 seniors who are longing to earn a state champsionship ring. The road is tough, but defensive end Desmond Floyd, defensive back Rickey Rice and offensive linemen Jason Adams and Brian Wells will lead their respective sides of the ball. The Jackets sophomore class has 37 players, a staggering statistic compared to the team’s 19 juniors.

Although the team is young in some areas, the experience around them will help Union County as it sets out for Williams-Brice Stadium.

OFFENSE

There will be a noticeable difference on offense as the Jackets’ change gears from a double-wing formation to a spread offense.

The Jackets averaged 15.5 points per game in ‘09, and the coaches expect the spread to increase scoring productivity.

“We liked the ball control a double-wing gives but our point total wasn’t that good. We needed more offensive production and with our personnel it just dictated the change. We knew we had a quarterback coming up and felt like this was the right time, “ Lipsey said.

Coach Bryan Robinson makes the move to offensive coordinator, and Robinson also coaches the quarterbacks.

The spread offense should produce more points and big plays, but it all starts in the trenches with the “big nastys”. A term many would not accept, but linemen welcome the compliment describing their fearless fight to win.

Every time a running back breaks a long run, the attention follows the ball and not the five-foot hole the offensive line created. Offensive linemen rarely receive media attetnion but seniors Jason Adams and Brian Wells will do more than catch the eye. Offensive tackles —Wells and Adams— book end Union County’s offensive line and the returning starters will be out on the grass in the new spread offense. The spread offense calls for more guard pulls, tackle releases, screens and counter traps. The spread alignment gives the linemen more room to work compared to a power or wing offense that focuses mainly on running between the tackles.

Junior Ja’Marcus Rice and Robert Sims, a sophomore, start the season at offensive guard. Junior Austen Miller handles the center position.

The offense features a new script and many new cast members, too.

The Jackets lost its leading rusher, Michael Mebane, to graduation but senior running back Michael Johnson possesses big-play potential and explodes through the line of scrimmage. In preseason scrimmages, Johnson scored on numerous touchdowns of 40 or more yards. Although he is not the biggest back, his speed makes up for what size lacks. Senior Dierris Beacham is another fleet-footed back expected to see time at running back. Like Johnson — Beacham is explosive and elusive.

Union County’s offensive backfield is a balanced combo of finesse and power. John Simmons Fallaw is a work horse and his fearless style of play resembles the leather helmet days. Fallaw is a north-south runner and takes only one route to get there by barreling over defenders.

At wide out, the Jackets have many big-play threats. The group is led by Beacham and sophomore Victor Ruth. Beacham adds experience and has good hands. Ruth is young but the sure-handed wide out can flat out fly. If defenses allow him behind the back line, Ruth will make them pay. In four wide out sets, coach Lipsey says Kendrick Byrd and defensive standout Desmond Floyd will line up oustide Ruth and Beacham. Expect to see Floyd in goal line situations when the Jackets need the 6’ 5” Wake Forest commitment to win the jump ball in the end zone.

Union County garners in a new quarterback and expectations are high for first-year starter Keiston Smith.

“We’re putting a lot on him,” coach Lipsey added about his quarterback.

The 6’1”, 205-pound. sophomore has the size and skills needed to excel in the spread offense. He will need game-speed situations to gain confidence but the young quarterback will only get better with every game. Smith looks most comfortable outside of the pocket in rollout situations.

DEFENSE

  Defensively, the Jackets differ from its offensive counterparts because the Friday night lights are nothing new for the Jackets defense. The defense features seven returning starters, nine total seniors and two underclassmen at tackle. This side of the ball is steeped in experience and returns all but four starters from last year’s squad that allowed only 15 points per game.

Seniors Rickey Rice, Josh Armstrong, La’Brian Smith and Robert Littlejohn secure the defensive backfield. The group stings hard and flies to the ball.

“The secondary is very athletic and experienced. They are well-coached by coach Bailey and coach Sanders and they know how to come up and make solid tackles. And that’s what it’s all about,” coach Lipsey said.

The defensive ends squeeze runners inside, the secondary forces the receivers to the middle and the Union County linebackers demolish any who dare. Three seniors start for linebacker coach Cedric Jeter. Deon Smith starts at “Mike” (Middle) linebacker. Jordan Sims and Wesley Jeter flank Smith at outside linebacker.

The Jackets’ defensive front clogs the middle and looks to control the line of scrimmage. Starring seniors Fallaw and Floyd, this featured group is sure to put people in the seats and win championships. Defensive ends are supposed to be tough, athletic and explosive. Fallaw and Floyd fit the bill by storming past offensive tackles, tearing down ball carriers, rushing the punter and staying on the field to play offense. Fallaw is a tough athlete who sacrifices his body for a tackle Floyd’s athleticism makes offensive tackles tremble with his lightning-fast pass rush. With a supporting cast of underclassmen JaMarcus Rice and Robert Sims, the Jackets’ defensive line will help to bear the load when the need arises.

Opposing offenses will have trouble no matter where they go. If everyone stays healthy on defense, the Jackets have a chance to win three out of its first five games.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Jackets lost punter Nick Monroe and kicker Alex Tucker to graduation.

Monroe left for Tusculum and Tucker to St. Augustine College, and the duo left no experience behind.

Live game situations will show any weaknesses.

“The kicking area is a concern ,” coach Lipsey said.

The Jackets are young but look promising.

William Holcombe, a sophomore, handles punting duties and turns over an occasional spiral.

Junior Adam Gregory takes the snap, turns the laces out and sophomore Brandon Shetley boots the point after attempt for the Yellow Jackets.

Coach Caleb Clark directs the special teams and this particular area has been most impressive during preseason action.

The Jackets have many speedy return specialists. Ruth, Calvin Williams, Beacham, Johnson, Littlejohn, Floyd and other playmakers could get a shot returning kickoffs and punts.

SPOTLIGHT PLAYERS

DB Rickey Rice, DE/FB John Simmsons Fallaw, DE/WR Desmond Floyd, OL Jason Adams, OL Brian Wells, LB Deon Smith, QB Keiston Smith