Union H.S. 2024 Football Preview

UNION, NJ -- The Union High School football team will open its 2024 season under new head coach Jason Scott this Friday afternoon at Seton Hall Prep at 1 p.m.

Scott was named the new head coach late last spring after Lou Grasso left Union to take the athletic director's position at Colonia High School. The fact that Scott had been a key member of Grasso's staff gives Union hope that the transition this season will be a smooth one.

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"I was left in a good spot from coach Grasso. We have a good group of guys," Scott said. "A bunch of good seniors who have made the transition really, really easy for us. It's been easy so far. (We're) super excited for the season."

Grasso's optimism exists even in the face of the transfer of two talented skill position players from last season's team. Senior quarterback O'Malley King is back to trigger the offense for his third season as a starter. King passed for 1,283 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for three touchdowns in 2023.

Senior wideout Cedric Raymond is the Farmers' top returning receiver. He caught 20 passes for 13.1 yards per reception and three TDs last year.

The size, skill and experience of offensive linemen Kervin Desir, Babadara Olowe, Bacmicho Exuma and Enoch Adeniran should help this season's new corps of running backs get the tough yards. Senior fullback Dallas Tullis and junior halfback Zaire Nash are two of those runners.

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Senior linebackers Tullis, King, Dakari Dugger and Bryan Accinot, linemen Desir and Dugger and sophomore DB Elijah Greene are some of the standout defenders for Union.

Union improved from two victories in 2022's rebuilding season to five wins last year.

"We have had a good summer and we are looking to build off of that," Scott said. "Our schedule has been pretty tough the last couple of years, so we're used to that by now. We like that kind of competition week in, week out. We have the right guys. We just have to put it all together."

UNION 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at Seton Hall Prep
Sept. 6: at Hillsborough
Sept. 13: at St. Joseph (Metuchen)
Sept. 20: Westfield
Sept. 27: Hunterdon Central
Oct. 4: at Ridge
Oct. 10: at South Brunswick
Oct. 18: Phillpsburg
Oct. 25: Elizabeth

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