TEAM OUTLOOK

It was a tough season for the GR Union Red Hawks en route to a 3-6 season last season, despite some difficult circumstances with changing coaches and players. They’ll look to continue the rebuild that led to a pair of 4-5 seasons in 2021 and 2022, the first time the program had won four or more games since 2002. And they look to veteran coach and administrator Curtis Andrews as the new head coach for the program.

Senior Zander Herring was called on down the stretch to take over a vacated QB spot and will likely be called upon in the same role this season for the Red Hawks.The team will have a lot of other young contributors for Herring to involve in the offense, but one veteran will be senior RB Keith Griffin, a 5’9 and 180 lb ‘bowling ball’ back that will be very difficult for defenses to bring down all season. Griffin will also be heavily featured on the defensive side of the ball as the team’s leading inside linebacker. The offensive line will also have some experience, led by senior Jehlani Porter at center – Porter has been in that role since his sophomore season.

Defensively, the likes of Porter and Griffin will again be two of the key leaders, but the team will also have a lot of other muscle on this side of the ball. Included in that will be 260 pound DE Denium Worden and 200 pound MLB Jaheim Jones. Jones will also be a FB on the offensive side of the ball.