Union County High School (Georgia)
Encyclopedia
Union County High School is a secondary school
located in Blairsville
, Georgia
.
The school is located in the North Georgia Mountains. The school's mascot
is the black panther
. Rivals are Dawson County High School, Fannin County High School
, and Towns County High School.
Their band is called the Pride of the Mountains.
Region Championships of the last three years
The Panthers were first coached by Dave Hardin. Hardin won four games in two years before giving way to Bill McGraw. McGraw coached three seasons going 15-11-4 and leading UC to a seven-win season in 1961, his final season.
Bobby Franks took over for two seasons going 9-6-1 in 1962 & 63.
From 1964-68 Bill Thompson was at the helm leading the Panthers to back-to-back seven-win seasons in 1966 and 1967. Thompson would win 26 games during his tenure. Tom Wilson, who also doubled as Girls Basketball Coach led the team from 1969-72 but only won seven games during his four seasons as coach. However, Wilson led the Girls Basketball squad to four state playoff appearances including a final-four trip in 1972.
Mickey Birchfield replaced Wilson during the 1973-74 season becoming both Football & Head Girls Basketball Coach. Birchfield had only one losing season in seven years winning two Region Titles and setting a school record with nine wins in 1974. During the '74 campaign the Panthers averaged 30.8 points per game while only allowing six per game, the lowest in school history during a ten game regular season. The offense would also score 40+ in four consecutive games while shutting out four opponents. East Fannin, Banks County, White County, & Lumpkin County. The Panthers only loss came against Buford 14-6 on Sept. 27th. Birchfield also led the Girls Basketball team back to the final four that same year. He finished with a 44-25-2 record between 1973-1979. His career winning percentage of .611 still marks the highest in school history.
From 1980-1993 Union County was led by Terry Rogers a former All-State player at UCHS in 1965. Rogers' cocahing career peaked between 1983–1985, winning 25 games and leading the Panthers to state in 1983. The Panther defense would shutout five different opponents in '83. A 10-6 loss at Fannin County on October 7 would cost Union a shot at a perfect regular season. Union would then lose 32-0 vs Duluth in the playoffs.
After the 1985 season was capped off with a 54-0 rout of Towns County, Rogers won more than four games in a season only once - going 6-4 in 1988. In his final four seasons he only averaged three wins a year, with the low point being a 27-14 defeat at the hands of rival Towns County on September 24, 1993 for the only loss to Towns in school history. Rogers stepped down as the school's all-time wins leader in 1993 with a 56-81-1 overall record but remained Athletic Director for another 14 years.
Former University of Tennessee and three-time All-SEC player Chip Kell
took the reins in 1994 with a new emphasis on strength training and conditioning. Kell lasted just two seasons, going 3–17 allowing 50+ points in three games and getting shutout in four.
Brian Allison returned to UCHS in 1996. Prior to that, Allison was an assistant at Furman University
. Allison came to Union County after a stellar playing career for the Panthers and Furman during the 1980s.Allison played four years at Furman University and was defensive line coach there for seven years. As a player, his Furman team played in a national championship and lost, and as a coach his team won a national championship in 1988. Allison led the Panthers to a 5-5 record in season one. 1996 was highlighted by wins over White County, North Forsyth, Lumpkin County, Dawson County, and a revenge victory against Towns County. The five wins also marked the most by the Panthers since 1988.
Allison would lead the Panthers to seven-win seasons in 1998 and 2000 but came up one game short of reaching the playoffs. The 1998 season's playoff hopes were derailed by a 41-27 loss at Commerce. In 2000 UC came up short after falling 35-21 at East Hall in the season finale where Union lost the services of its leading rusher Zach Helton, due to injury.
The Panthers would rebound in 2001, tying a school record for wins with a 9-2 record and a berth in the state playoffs. UC began the season 9-0 with thrilling victories vs Appalachee (20-14), at White County (13-7), at Dawson County (32-27), & at Lumpkin County (36-35) in overtime. The Panthers only regular season loss came at GAC in the season finale 56-35. The game had been rescheduled from week three due to the 9-11 attacks and set up a matchup of two unbeaten teams playing for the region title. Union County would finish second in 8AA and lose at home to Morgan County 31-28 on a last second field-goal. After the season Allison would leave UCHS to take over the same position at Winder-Barrow High School.
From 2002-2007 UCHS had three football coaches. None of which won more than four games in a single season. Kent Green won five games between 2002 & 03. Stan Luttrell - 4 wins in 2004 & 05 & Todd Pugh - 3 wins in 2006 & 07.
In 2008 Brian Allison returned to UCHS. The Panthers began '08 with four consecutive wins, including a 49-21 victory over region-powerhouse, North Oconee. His team was also named Fox 5 Team of the Week after a 35-14 win at East Jackson in week four. Unfortunately the season went downhill beginning in week 5 with a 50-14 home loss to Jefferson. After a bye week and a three-point win at Oglethorpe County, UC would lose 42-35 at rival Fannin County. Then on October 24, an overtime, homecoming loss to Dawson County proved especially devastating after QB Kolt Owenby broke his wrist during the game and missed the remainder of the season. The Panthers, without Owenby would go on to lose to Banks County and Riverside Military Academy to finish the season at 5-5. Allison's offense would average 27.2 PPG for the year. Before the injury to Owenby, Union was on pace to score the most points in team history, averaging 32.7 per game. Without Owenby, Union's offensive production dive-bombed to an anemic 15.7 PPG in its final three games.
2009's post-season hopes were dashed after a 28-27 Senior Night loss to Riverside Military Academy on October 30. The Panthers did take out some revenge on Banks County the following week with a 48-20 blowout victory to give UCHS their first winning season since 2001. Union County was also able to avenge two rivalry-game losses from the previous season with a 45-14 victory at Dawson County and a 28-24 come-from-behind win over Fannin County. The win over Fannin marked the first win for UC in the rivalry since 2001 and the first over Dawson since 2002. They finished the season averaging 34.3 PPG - a school record.
Allison's 47 wins at UCHS is second in school history and leaves him 10 short of breaking the record held by Terry Rogers. During his last two seasons at UCHS his teams have averaged 30.8 PPG. He coached 65 consecutive games at Union County without being shutout until 9-17-2010. When Union was shutout by Robbinsville NC, 34-0.
Union also holds a 17-10 advantage over Dawson County. Union defeated Dawson 46-8 in 1976 and Dawson beat Union 38-0 in 2006 for the two largest margins in the series.
Fannin County holds an 11-7 lead over Union County. However UC held a combined 14-8 advantage over East Fannin and West Fannin until the schools combined to create Fannin County High School in the 1970s. In 2000 Union defeated Fannin 36-0 in the most one-sided game in the series history. Fannin would match that same margin in 2006 with a 43-7 victory. Union also defeated East Fannin 40-0 in 1966 and 39-0 in 1974.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
located in Blairsville
Blairsville, Georgia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 659 people, 226 households, and 101 families residing in the city. The population density was 619.7 people per square mile . There were 261 housing units at an average density of 245.4 per square mile...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
The school is located in the North Georgia Mountains. The school's mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is the black panther
Black panther
A black panther is typically a melanistic color variant of any of several species of larger cat. Wild black panthers in Latin America are black jaguars , in Asia and Africa they are black leopards , and in North America they may be black jaguars or possibly black cougars A black panther is...
. Rivals are Dawson County High School, Fannin County High School
Fannin County High School
Fannin County Comprehensive High School is located at 360 Rebel Circle in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Fannin High offers a large array of classes and offers seven Advanced Placement classes, including: English Literature, English Language, Biology, Calculus, Studio Art, Art History, European History,...
, and Towns County High School.
Their band is called the Pride of the Mountains.
Athletic Achievements
5 State Runner-Up finishes: 1971 Boys Basketball- 1990 Golf- 1995 Baseball- 2001 Girls Basketball- 2010 Girls SoftballRegion Championships of the last three years
| Year | Teams | Sport | Region Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Boys | Soccer | First Round |
| 2009 | Girls | Basketball | Sweet 16 |
| 2009 | Boys | Soccer | Sweet 16 |
| 2008 | Girls | Cross Country | Seventh Round |
| 2008 | Boys | Soccer | First Rouch |
| 2008 | Boys | Golf | Thirteenth Round |
Football
The Union County football program has a record of 223-287 since its inception in 1957. The Panthers have won two Region Championships, coming in 1973 & 74. They have also made five state playoff appearances with the most recent being in 2001. In 2001 Union County tied a school record with nine wins. Matching win totals from 1983 & 1974.The Early Years
The Panthers were first coached by Dave Hardin. Hardin won four games in two years before giving way to Bill McGraw. McGraw coached three seasons going 15-11-4 and leading UC to a seven-win season in 1961, his final season.
Bobby Franks took over for two seasons going 9-6-1 in 1962 & 63.
From 1964-68 Bill Thompson was at the helm leading the Panthers to back-to-back seven-win seasons in 1966 and 1967. Thompson would win 26 games during his tenure. Tom Wilson, who also doubled as Girls Basketball Coach led the team from 1969-72 but only won seven games during his four seasons as coach. However, Wilson led the Girls Basketball squad to four state playoff appearances including a final-four trip in 1972.
Mickey Birchfield
Mickey Birchfield replaced Wilson during the 1973-74 season becoming both Football & Head Girls Basketball Coach. Birchfield had only one losing season in seven years winning two Region Titles and setting a school record with nine wins in 1974. During the '74 campaign the Panthers averaged 30.8 points per game while only allowing six per game, the lowest in school history during a ten game regular season. The offense would also score 40+ in four consecutive games while shutting out four opponents. East Fannin, Banks County, White County, & Lumpkin County. The Panthers only loss came against Buford 14-6 on Sept. 27th. Birchfield also led the Girls Basketball team back to the final four that same year. He finished with a 44-25-2 record between 1973-1979. His career winning percentage of .611 still marks the highest in school history.
Terry Rogers
From 1980-1993 Union County was led by Terry Rogers a former All-State player at UCHS in 1965. Rogers' cocahing career peaked between 1983–1985, winning 25 games and leading the Panthers to state in 1983. The Panther defense would shutout five different opponents in '83. A 10-6 loss at Fannin County on October 7 would cost Union a shot at a perfect regular season. Union would then lose 32-0 vs Duluth in the playoffs.
After the 1985 season was capped off with a 54-0 rout of Towns County, Rogers won more than four games in a season only once - going 6-4 in 1988. In his final four seasons he only averaged three wins a year, with the low point being a 27-14 defeat at the hands of rival Towns County on September 24, 1993 for the only loss to Towns in school history. Rogers stepped down as the school's all-time wins leader in 1993 with a 56-81-1 overall record but remained Athletic Director for another 14 years.
Chip Kell
Former University of Tennessee and three-time All-SEC player Chip Kell
Chip Kell
Curtis Chip Kell was a former center in the Canadian Football League and for the University of Tennessee Volunteers college football team. Kell was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006....
took the reins in 1994 with a new emphasis on strength training and conditioning. Kell lasted just two seasons, going 3–17 allowing 50+ points in three games and getting shutout in four.
Brian Allison
Brian Allison returned to UCHS in 1996. Prior to that, Allison was an assistant at Furman University
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
. Allison came to Union County after a stellar playing career for the Panthers and Furman during the 1980s.Allison played four years at Furman University and was defensive line coach there for seven years. As a player, his Furman team played in a national championship and lost, and as a coach his team won a national championship in 1988. Allison led the Panthers to a 5-5 record in season one. 1996 was highlighted by wins over White County, North Forsyth, Lumpkin County, Dawson County, and a revenge victory against Towns County. The five wins also marked the most by the Panthers since 1988.
Allison would lead the Panthers to seven-win seasons in 1998 and 2000 but came up one game short of reaching the playoffs. The 1998 season's playoff hopes were derailed by a 41-27 loss at Commerce. In 2000 UC came up short after falling 35-21 at East Hall in the season finale where Union lost the services of its leading rusher Zach Helton, due to injury.
The Panthers would rebound in 2001, tying a school record for wins with a 9-2 record and a berth in the state playoffs. UC began the season 9-0 with thrilling victories vs Appalachee (20-14), at White County (13-7), at Dawson County (32-27), & at Lumpkin County (36-35) in overtime. The Panthers only regular season loss came at GAC in the season finale 56-35. The game had been rescheduled from week three due to the 9-11 attacks and set up a matchup of two unbeaten teams playing for the region title. Union County would finish second in 8AA and lose at home to Morgan County 31-28 on a last second field-goal. After the season Allison would leave UCHS to take over the same position at Winder-Barrow High School.
Kent Green, Stan Luttrell, & Todd Pugh
From 2002-2007 UCHS had three football coaches. None of which won more than four games in a single season. Kent Green won five games between 2002 & 03. Stan Luttrell - 4 wins in 2004 & 05 & Todd Pugh - 3 wins in 2006 & 07.
Return of Allison
In 2008 Brian Allison returned to UCHS. The Panthers began '08 with four consecutive wins, including a 49-21 victory over region-powerhouse, North Oconee. His team was also named Fox 5 Team of the Week after a 35-14 win at East Jackson in week four. Unfortunately the season went downhill beginning in week 5 with a 50-14 home loss to Jefferson. After a bye week and a three-point win at Oglethorpe County, UC would lose 42-35 at rival Fannin County. Then on October 24, an overtime, homecoming loss to Dawson County proved especially devastating after QB Kolt Owenby broke his wrist during the game and missed the remainder of the season. The Panthers, without Owenby would go on to lose to Banks County and Riverside Military Academy to finish the season at 5-5. Allison's offense would average 27.2 PPG for the year. Before the injury to Owenby, Union was on pace to score the most points in team history, averaging 32.7 per game. Without Owenby, Union's offensive production dive-bombed to an anemic 15.7 PPG in its final three games.
2009's post-season hopes were dashed after a 28-27 Senior Night loss to Riverside Military Academy on October 30. The Panthers did take out some revenge on Banks County the following week with a 48-20 blowout victory to give UCHS their first winning season since 2001. Union County was also able to avenge two rivalry-game losses from the previous season with a 45-14 victory at Dawson County and a 28-24 come-from-behind win over Fannin County. The win over Fannin marked the first win for UC in the rivalry since 2001 and the first over Dawson since 2002. They finished the season averaging 34.3 PPG - a school record.
Allison's 47 wins at UCHS is second in school history and leaves him 10 short of breaking the record held by Terry Rogers. During his last two seasons at UCHS his teams have averaged 30.8 PPG. He coached 65 consecutive games at Union County without being shutout until 9-17-2010. When Union was shutout by Robbinsville NC, 34-0.
All-State Players
| Year | Player | Title | College/University |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Blake Gowder | AP, GACA, AJC | Vanderbilt University |
| 2008 | Blake Gowder | AP, GACA, AJC | |
| 2000 | Trent Dyer | AP, AJC | Tusculum College |
| 1984 | Mike Kierman | AJC | |
| 1983 | Brian Allison | AJC | Furman University |
| 1977 | Ronnie Owenby | AJC | |
| 1976 | Robby Kelley | AJC | |
| 1975 | Mickey Jones | AJC | |
| 1974 | Phil Kelley | AJC | |
| 1974 | Robby Rogers | AJC, Back of the Year | |
| 1967 | Bill Jones | AJC | |
| 1966 | Bill Jones | AJC | |
| 1965 | Bill Jones | AJC | |
| 1965 | Lewis McAfee | AJC | |
| 1965 | Terry Rogers | AJC | |
| 1964 | Gary Hill | AJC |
Rivals
Union County has a 21-1 record against its original rival Towns County. Towns' only win came in 1993. Union's most lopsided win came in 1985 by the score of 54-0. Union has scored at least 30 points in thirteen of the 22 meetings and owns thirteen shutout victories in the series.Union also holds a 17-10 advantage over Dawson County. Union defeated Dawson 46-8 in 1976 and Dawson beat Union 38-0 in 2006 for the two largest margins in the series.
Fannin County holds an 11-7 lead over Union County. However UC held a combined 14-8 advantage over East Fannin and West Fannin until the schools combined to create Fannin County High School in the 1970s. In 2000 Union defeated Fannin 36-0 in the most one-sided game in the series history. Fannin would match that same margin in 2006 with a 43-7 victory. Union also defeated East Fannin 40-0 in 1966 and 39-0 in 1974.