It’s been about nine months. The wait is over. It’s time for Yellow Jacket football. And we’ll begin with the four co-captains for the Chester game.

Travis Black

No. 56 is an offensive lineman, something he’s be working at since 8th grade, as well as playing on the D-line.

Travis is the son of Fred and Tanja Black and lives on Jonesville Highway. Black wants to play football in college or, if not, be a successful full-time student. His favorite subject is English because that’s the subject in which he excels.

He enjoys football and winning with his first memorable experience in football was "… when we beat Chester in the first game of our junior year."

When it comes to college and pro teams, Black likes South Carolina and the Atlanta Falcons. Matt Ryan is his favorite pro player because "… he battled through a lot of adversity his rookie season."

As for the Jackets, he wants the team to be successful, work well together, win the region and then the state. And he expects to contribute to the team reaching those two goals by "… getting better every day."

Brennan Crosby

Crosby is the son of James and Kimberly Crosby and lives in Union. Wearing No. 9, Brennan splits his time between outside linebacker and wide receiver. He has also played at safety and kicker earlier in his football career that dates back to first grade.

Brennan’s first memory as a young football player was when he was a running back in flag football.

His goal for the team this year is for the team "… to play as one, win the region, then after that, win the state championship."

He likes football because "… I get to take my anger out on someone without getting in trouble for it."

And Brennan likes math because "… it challenges me to think." After high school, he wants to attend college and major in pre-dentistry.

As for his favorite college team, it’s Florida State, while his pro pick is the Green Bay Packers. Troy Polamalu is his favorite pro player because "… he goes hard every play and gives 100 percent no matter what."

Michael Mebane

Hard-running Michael Mebane, No. 4, has been playing football since the first grade at running back, linebacker and quarterback.

Michael likes football because of the "… intensity, playing in front of the big crowds and playing with all my heart."

Mebane lives with his parents, Tyra and Terry Parham, here in Union and wants to attend Wofford College and become a teacher.

He lists math as his favorite subject because he is able to relate to numbers and can remember how to work the math problems.

Mebane’s team goal is to make it to state and to show "… everyone that this team is better than they thought." As for his own goals, he wants to make the All-State first team, try to get in the mix for Mr. Football and then make it to the North-South Football Game.

In the pro ranks, Michael likes Barry Sanders because of his swift hips, exceptional field of vision, and the ability to make people miss.

His favorite collegiate team is the LSU Tigers.

Nick Monroe

No. 15’s earliest football memory is when he ran for the winning TD in one of his flag football games. Since then he has also played at wide receiver, running back, safety, punter and fullback. Now the Jacket starting quarterback, Monroe loves being able to play and represent the Black and Gold.

Monroe lives with his parents, Cathy and Russell Williford in Union and has been playing football since the 4th grade. He hopes to play in college.

History is his favorite subject because he likes "… learning about the past."

The Florida Gators are his favorite collegiate team, while the Dallas Cowboys are his favorite pro team, though he admires Payton Manning because "… he shows great leadership and is one who is going to be there for any game."

"My personal (football) goal is to get recruited by a college team and to be the best I can be for my team and with them."

As for his team goal, Monroe, like the rest of the Jackets, wants to be region champion and state champion.