Head football coach Joel Hofmann is back for his sixth season at Union County and anxiously looking forward to the season playing under the new lights.

“We haven’t been able to to see them on yet,” Hofmann said. “They look very nice and should make the whole town glow on Fridays in the fall.”

The Patriots lost seven to graduation last spring but 11  2022 seniors are ready to fill those gaps. 

“Our offensive/defensive front are maybe the most experienced that I’ve ever had.” Hofmann said. “A lot of guys are back that have played a lot of football.”  

The Patriots’ football roster contains 26 players including 10 seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, eight freshmen and a four-man coaching staff.

“Evan Wolf is the returning leading rusher and receiver to the offense as well as tackler on the defensive side of the ball.” 

Time will tell and in the meantime Hofmann and the Patriots are spending time on the practice field preparing for the scrimmage this Friday at South Decatur and the remaining nine games. 

A week later, UC opens the season on the road at TEC rival Northeastern. 

The first time the Patriots play before the hometown fans at Curry/Phenis Field is Friday, Aug. 26 with Lincoln visiting at 7 p.m.

2022 Union County High School Football Patriots...

Seniors - Marek Whitsell, Ben Tom, Ryland Schulte, Aaron Herring, Evan Wolf, Jayden Tipton, Jordon Takara, Matt Wooley, Mike Eversole, Rhett Hollen

Juniors - Gunner Dishmond, Topher Fritts, Noah Mullins, Justin Ramsey.

Sophomores - Evan Snyder, Leighton Jones, Nate Taylor, Dusty Shepherd.

Freshmen - Bill Murray, Landon Darter, Bo Tidrow, Wyatt Pence, Cody Buttery, Holden Wesseler, Justice Boyd, Ben Lutz.

Coach - Joel Hofmann. Defensive Coordinator - Scott Watterson. Asistant Coaches - Rob Kurtz, Drew Cole, Chris Ferris.