Union City football reloads in defense of Big 8 crown
UNION CITY – The Union City Charger football program entered the 2022 season in a bit of a transition, with their fourth coach in four years taking the helm.
Union City promoted from within for the job, elevating longtime assistant Doug Counterman to the head spot and it looked like it worked just fine.
The Union City Chargers surprised a few people last season as they ran away with the Big 8 conference championship, finishing their conference schedule with a perfect record of 6-0. The Chargers rode that conference success to a 7-2 regular season, earning themselves a spot in the MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) postseason where they received a tough draw, falling to perennial powerhouse Hudson in the first round of postseason.
The Chargers did all this thanks to a team filled with youngsters, especially at the skill positions, and with a dominant effort inside the trenches. Four of the five starters on the offensive line have moved on due to graduation, meaning Union City has to replace one of the most important parts of a football team heading into what could be a big season for the maroon and gray.
With that in mind, let us look at what 2023 may have in store for the Union City Chargers.
Key Returners
On offense, Union City returns nearly every skill position player from last season, including incoming junior quarterback Eli Payne, All Conference receivers in Rick Austin and Jeremy Zehr, and explosive backs in Riley Laird and Dylon MacDonald.
Payne finished his sophomore season completing 56 of 116 passes for 989 yards to go along with 11 touchdowns, compared to only two interceptions. The junior signal caller has a big arm and makes smart decisions with the ball and after a summer traveling the camp circuit may have taken that next big step.
Payne returns his top four receivers from last year’s team, including all-conference wideout Rick Austin, who finished the year with 16 catches for 493 yards and six scores. Also returning is senior Jeremy Zehr, who led the team in catches with 23 for 351 yards and two scores along with junior tight end Aidan Decker, who is athletic as they come and creates matchup nightmares for opposing coaches.
Union City also returns their top four rushers from last season, led by senior speedster Riley Laird, who had a team high 774 yards with 11 touchdowns. Also putting in key carries will be junior Dylon MacDonald, who had 73 carries for 391 yards and four scores, along with seniors Landyn Crance and Owen Jackson.
Where Union City is short on experience is along the offensive line, where they are tasked with replacing four of their five starters, including two who earned All-Conference honors. Returning to anchor the line is senior Hunter Gillies, who switches from center to tackle where his speed and size should be more of an asset to the Charger running game.
On defense, Union City returns a veteran linebacker corps, led by All Conference middle linebacker Owen Jackson. Also holding down the fort are Decker and Ryan Zweng, both big and physical players.
The defensive backfield is also strong with returners Laird, Crance and MacDonald.
Again, the Chargers are tasked with replacing a very disruptive defensive line, as all four starters have moved on due to graduation. Returning however are key rotation guys from last year that are looking to have a breakout year in defensive ends Caden Hughes and Nathaniel Maurer.
New Additions
The most noticeable new additions to the Chargers will come along both the offensive and defensive lines where a few fresh faces could help make or break the season.
Junior Gavin Kelly steps in at the center and nose guard position on both lines and brings size and physicality with him. Also looking to make some noise along the line is junior Reed Goodwin who seems to have taken that next step over the offseason and will be counted on to provide big snaps on both lines.
Other newcomers that look to make an impact this season include Andrew Tundevold (WR/DB), Willie Dunn (OL/DL) and Taylor Curtis (OL/DL).
Coaching Philosophies
Union City had a dynamic offense in 2022 that could score either with the run or through the air. They look to continue that trend in 2023 after returning so many starters at some key spots.
“We have a great opportunity to pick up where we left off last year and look to be more explosive on offense,” said Counterman.
On defense Union City looks to counteract their lack of size up front with pure speed.
“Defense we are not as big up front, but we will make up for it with speed,” said Counterman. “Both of our defensive ends were track stars in the spring and are looking to put a lot of pressure on opposing offenses.”
The Chargers will rely on their bevy of returning starters from last year to get right back to it to begin the new year.
“On both sides of the ball we are off to a fast start, we just need to correct some little things and continue to play fast,” added Counterman.
Season Outlook
After winning the Big 8 last year and returning so many starters, expectations are sky high for the Chargers entering 2023.
“The Big 8 is always up for grabs, year in and year out,” said Counterman. “This year with only five teams every game matters more than ever. If we play to our potential, I believe we should finish around the top of the conference.”
For the Charger coaching staff and for the players the most important game is the next one right in front of them, meaning their season opener versus Centreville is step one.
“We have to play fast and physical and we have to limit mental miscues,” added Counterman. “We have great leadership and work ethic on this team. They are a family, they work hard together, they love each other, and they play for each other.”
Union City will open their 2023 season Thursday, Aug. 24 with a home game versus Centreville, with kick off scheduled for 7 p.m.
Team Information
Name: Union City Chargers
Colors: Maroon and Gray
Conference: Big 8 Conference
Last Season: 7-3 overall, 6-0 in the Big 8 Conference
Coaching Staff: Doug Counterman-Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Fred Bradford- Defensive Coordinator
Jason Counterman- Assistant Coach
Tom Kusterer- Assistant Coach
David Wilber- Assistant Coach
Darren Austin- Assistant Coach
Nate Cronkright- Assistant Coach
Pete Payne- Assistant Coach
2023 Schedule
Aug. 24- CENTREVILLE, 7 p.m.
Aug. 31- SPRINGPORT- 7 p.m.
Sept. 8- READING, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15- SAUGATUCK, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22- at Bronson, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29- at Quincy, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6- at Petersburg Summerfield, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13- OTTAWA LAKE WHITEFORD, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20- at Buchanan, 7 p.m.
For up to minute scoring updates, stats, news and more regarding Union City football every Friday night, not to mention all sports throughout the week, follow Sports Editor Troy Tennyson on Twitter (X) at @tennysonTDR or follow The Daily Reporter on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Union City Charger Football Preview
