By Mike Hutchens, Union City Schools Communications Director
Following a 10-win season in which Union City advanced to the Class 2A state quarterfinals and with four past state championships in its illustrious history, the Golden Tornadoes don’t plan on resting on any of those laurels.
“We know what the expectations are, and we want to continue the historical legacy of this program,” UC head coach Nick Markle said on the eve of his team’s 2023 season-opener against heralded private school entry Ensworth. “I feel as if last year, we began the rebuild. And our kids want to have their names mentioned in the same breath as some of those other great players and teams.”
The Twisters – who posted double-digits in wins last season for the first time since the last of their state title seasons in 2017 – will play in Class 1A this year and next before likely moving back to Class 2A due to enrollment increases.
Before beginning region play, Union City will be sternly tested schedule-wise – beginning with four-time Division II state champion (2010-13) Ensworth, which features several heralded college prospects and a handful of elite transfers.
“It’ll be a precursor of what one could see if they play until the first week of December,” Markle said of tonight’s opener. “It’ll test our mettle right out of the gate. And when you follow that with games against USJ and Dyer County, which are also well-coached and present great challenges, we’ll learn a lot about ourselves before we begin league play.”
The Tornadoes return a pair of 1,000-yard rushers off last year’s team and three of their top five tacklers from a squad that averaged 38 points per game and gave up just 15.
Fullback Jacob Arnold (1,237 yards, 12 touchdowns) and quarterback Keaten Brown (1,137 yards, 20 TDs) – two of seven seniors on the squad – will again be the centerpieces of UC’s flexbone triple-option attack. Tayehari Jones (765 yards, 8 TDs) will be a big-play threat as a slot, and another junior, Cohen Simpson, is a proven pass catcher in an offense that should be more diversified this season.
Interior lineman Kelan Roberson will lead a solid group in the trenches that includes Corben Avery, Jayce Rogers, Davis Hayes, and Cohen Woods.
Defensively, Arnold at safety, Brown at linebacker, and Simpson in the secondary will be expected to build on solid 2022 seasons. Big things are also expected from Roberson up front and linebacker Aiden Reid.
Special teams should be solid with kickers Finn Frankum, who hit 59-of-69 PATs and a pair of field goals last year, with newcomer Marcos Landeros also in the mix.
“We have seven seniors, six of whom have played considerable reps,” Markle added. “Four of those guys have started for two years. That’s a lot of snaps under their belts, and they’ve seen a lot of things. I’ve challenged those guys to set the standard for our underclassmen, and they’ve done a good job with that so far.
“Our offseason and preseason have been good. Obviously, we’ll need good health and maybe get a break or two, but I really like this bunch. I believe we have the opportunity to have a special season.”
2023 Union City High School Football Schedule
Week 1 Aug. 18 Ensworth Home
Week 2 Aug. 25 USJ Away
Week 3 Sept. 1 Dyer County Home
Week 4 Sept. 8 Gleason* Away
Week 5 Sept. 15 South Fulton* Home
Week 6 Sept. 22 Greenfield* Away
Week 7 Sept. 29 Dresden* Home
Week 8 Oct. 6 OPEN DATE
Week 9 Oct. 13 Halls* Home
Week 10 Oct. 20 Humboldt* Away
Week 11 Oct. 26 Lake County* Away
- Designates Region 7-1A Games
- Kickoffs set for 7 p.m.
