UNION REDHAWKS

Coach: KIRK FRIDRICH

11-1

OFFENSE

Tight end Lane Wood (6-3, 225, Sr.) and wide receiver Jino Boyd (5-10, 165, Sr.) return, along with quarterback Shaker Reisig (6-2, 200, Jr.), to give the Redhawks experience at the skill positions of Union’s pro-style spread offense. Boyd, who has an offer from New Mexico St., led Union with 54 receptions, 1,030 receiving yards and 15 TD catches in 2022, and Reisig, who has offers from Tulsa and Illinois, threw for 2,656 yards and 27 TDs. “Having school record holders like Shaker and Jino returning gives you peace of mind knowing those guys can produce in big games,” head coach Kirk Fridrich said. Dea’Mar Nealy (5-7, 160, Sr.) will replace the departed DJ McKinney at running back. McKinney rushed for over 1,000 yards and 21 TDs last year. Boston Carrasco (5-10, 165, Jr.) and Tayveon Parry (5-6, 160, So.) are also expected to contribute in the backfield. Carrasco can also play at receiver. Brendon McQueen (6-1, 165, Sr.) and Braylen Danzy (6-2, 165, Sr.) will also play roles at receiver. Jesse Jones, Jr. (6-2, 275, Jr.) will anchor the Redhawks’ offensive line as the lone returning starter, but Fridrich is excited about his other options. “Several guys have had great offseasons and will battle for the remaining spots,” Fridrich said. Tight ends Myles Davis and Luke Lazenby will give Union other options offensively if they want to use multiple tight end sets.

DEFENSE

Union will be in a similar situation defensively where it also returns four starters from last year. “It will be a test for us on this side of the ball early in the season,” Fridrich said. “We return players with leadership at defensive line and defensive back, which should help those without experience.” Senior defensive backs Devon Jordan (6-0, 165) and Isaac Covington (5-11, 190) will provide the backbone. Jordan is a big-time recruit with offers from OU, OSU, Alabama, and Texas A&M. He recorded 43 tackles, a pair of interceptions and had six pass breakups as a junior. Covington, who has been offered by Army, Air Force and New Mexico St., had four INTs that he returned for a total of 129 yards and 94 tackles. J.T. Fridrich (6-1, 165, Jr.) also returns in the secondary, and Trey Barnes (5-11, 275, Sr.) returns as a starter on the defensive line. “[Trey] is the core of the defensive line with two years of experience,” Fridrich said. Others expected to contribute are linebackers Land Wood, Ian Rowe, Isaiah Forbes and Tucker Koch, and defensive backs Damien Marshall, Ashton Cunningham, Ashton Fowler and Daijon Gaines.

SCHEDULE

8-24 – at Westmoore

9-1 – vs. Broken Arrow

9-8 – at Jenks

9-22 – vs. Owasso

9-29 – at Yukon

10-6 – vs. Norman

10-13 – vs. Mustang

10-19 – at Edmond Santa Fe

10-27 – at Edmond Memorial

11-2 – vs. Edmond North