Championship Standards: Union Parish has sights on yet another trip to state finals

FARMERVILLE, La. ( KTVE/KARD ) — The Union Parish Farmers are coming off a historical season that saw them appear in their fourth straight state championship game—winning their first title since 2013.

There is a certain standard when you put that Union Parish uniform on—I guess one could call it a championship standard.

Heading into the 2024 season—the expectations are no different.

“We have put in a lot more work,” said Tyreon Traylor. “Even the senior class because we don’t want to be the only senior class that don’t make it back. Every year, every single class before us made it back, so we don’t want to be the only one who doesn’t make it.”

“Going there four years in a row and only winning once just makes us want to go get it more,” said Tyquereis Wilson. “We want to be better than the seniors last year. Every week, we figure out ways to get better, help each other, mature up and get ready for the season.”

Joe Spatafora and the Union Parish Farmers are no strangers to big games making four state championship appearances in the last four years.

However—this team has only been able to claim one state title in that run.

That state title came just a year ago marking the first title in 10 years—but—one title for this group isn’t enough.

“No, they hadn’t got complacent,” said Joe Spatafora. “That’s one thing we talked about is that last year is over. Put your rings away. They are a nice trophy. Something to look at and remind you of and something to smile about that you were a part of, but the fact of the matter is it’s your senior year and it’s time for you to get us back there and do the same thing.”

Defending their crown will be no cake walk.

There is a target on their back—but that is nothing new to this group.

Now—it’s a challenge they simply embrace.

“We are the team that everybody wants to beat,” said Curtis Benson. “That’s why we have to stand on business 24/7. Every time we pad up, we have to stand on business because we are the team everyone wants to beat.”

The will to continue the Union tradition shows each and every day in practice—a team who is locked in, hungry—and ready to compete.

“You have to hold them back,” Spatafora said. “That’s basically what I have to do, especially when we go team. They are so amped up and ready to go to hit somebody and to win their side of the ball and just to compete for each other. This is a great group, a special group, and the thing about it is this O-Line is all seniors and most of them have been starting for three or four years.”

That offensive line will play a key role in the Farmers offensive success this season.

An offense looking to control the clock with the run game.

With most of their offensive line returning—this offense is ready to start right where the left off.

“The big guys,” said Wilson. “The big guys bring everything. We lost two big guys from last year, so being able to replace them and keep most of the same line is phenomenal.”

“Everybody takes a lot of pride in it. You see them over there? They ready. That’s why I love playing o-line,” said Benson. “I love my brothers. They always ready. They stay ready. They are never scared.”

You mix the experienced front line with a mix of new and old faces in the skills group and this offense looks to be very dangerous.

“Of course, that o-line, big Josh Moy, four-year starter, CJ Benson, De’Marco Knighton, James Sievers, Ari Slocum, Antonio Traylor,” Spatafora said. “Those guys, they are the big part of it, and then you have Chase Meeking returning, receiver and defensive back. He’s a big-time player. Braxton Patterson moves to quarterback. He started as a freshman last year at safety and now he moves to quarterback. Another one of our defensive ends from last year moves to running back and then we returned our fullback. That side of the ball, the o-line is going to keep those guys ready and give them a chance to prepare and come along.”

Defensively—the mentality has not changed for the Farmers.

“That gets talked about every day,” Wilson said. “Your defense is your toughest men on the field. We always want our defense to be tough and have that dog in them. If they don’t have that dog in them, they can’t be on our side.”

“To kill every play,” said Traylor. “If you mess up, the next play, go 100%, don’t give up. Even when you are tired, fight to your fullest.”

“You know, we still have that same mentality to kill,” Benson said. “We have to make sure we get it done and get it again. Everybody out here is capable of it. We are going to go back. I can feel it.”

“They are fast, and they are hitters,” Spatafora said. “They love it. These guys here will mess up your offense real quick out here at practice every day when we are going team. They are very fast flowing. You think you’ve got something there and then you don’t. They’re not the biggest. The biggest linemen we have are on offense, but these guys are fast-flow, they’re physical and they are hungry.”

The title defense started the day the returned back from the Dome last season.

But now—they are ready to put their work to the test and with the dedication and training all offseason—Union Parish fans can expect to see quite the performance week in and week out.

“Like we have to put on a show every game,” Traylor said. “Get ready to play because we know who is going to be in the stands watching us, even from up above. There’s an expectation to come out here and put in work every day to put on for them and put on for the city.”

“No doubt, I am ready to get into some action, get an opponent and see where we are at,” Spatafora said. “You look at the beginning of our schedule, as always, it sets us up to succeed. We’ve got a great schedule ahead and some great opponents and it’s going to be fun.”