How do you follow a record-breaking season of success? You work unbelievably hard! That’s the approach the Union County Braves football team is taking as they enter the 2023 season.
The 2022 season was a historic one for the Braves as they went undefeated in the regular season and earned the most wins in school history. Even though the Braves lost several top players from last year’s squad, the 2023 team is ready to step up and make its own history.
Coach Derek Johns, entering his 8th season as the Braves head coach, says his players have worked extremely hard in the offseason, especially in the weight room with a strenuous strength and conditioning program. “This is probably the strongest team I’ve had,” he emphasizes. “Even though we lost some key guys from last year, this team is probably deeper than last year,” citing there are more players ready to play at the varsity level.
One of this year’s key players will be junior running back Jarren Johnson, whose season ended early last season when he suffered a serious leg injury in his first game. After surgery and a lot of hard work to recover, he’s ready to take a lead role this season. Another key player will be sophomore Willem McPeake, who Johns says has had a great offseason in the weight room. Their defensive and offensive line will be led by Logan Hall and Caiden Broadus who promise to be valuable assets to the team. The Braves will experience senior leadership from players like Rylan George and Duncan Mills, who “do things the right way,” according to Johns.
There will be some changes to the Braves schedule this year due to the realignment of teams in the district The past several years, Union has played in a four-team district, but this year, the district has grown to six teams. The Braves’ district foes will include Webster County, Trigg County, McLean County, Hancock County, and Hopkins County Central. Non-district opponents on the schedule include Madisonville-North Hopkins, Crittenden County, Caldwell County, Murray, and Greenwood. Union will not face traditional rivals Paducah Tilghman and Owensboro Catholic this year due to schedule adjustments caused by the district realignment.
Coach Johns and his team enter this season with a clear goal of earning the District Championship for the fourth consecutive year. He says winning districts is the goal every year and would set the team up well for the playoffs where everything is possible.
While Johns faces the season with confidence in his players, he also credits his coaching staff for their dedication to the program. “A lot of programs have to search for coaches, but we’re fortunate to have all our coaches returning from last year.” He feels that having coaches who are consistent in how they train their players and develop relationships with them goes a long way in setting the team up for success.
The Braves kick off their season at home this Friday night against the Madisonville Maroons. Johns believes it will be a good matchup as they begin what they hope is another run at history. He believes the drive and desire he’s seen from his players in the offseason will show on the field under the lights. “I think our guys are hungry for it,” Johns says.
We wish the Braves the best, and we invite everyone to come out to Baker Field this Friday night for all the exciting action. Go Braves!
