Sun Valley


Sun Valley's Hackett steps down immediately

In just one year and half Sun Valley's Hackett has stepped down as head football coach immediately. Sun Valley High School announced the change via their twitter account, "Coach Drew Hackett, head varsity football coach announced hsi resignation from teh schools football program today. Hackett, who has been the school's head cor for the past two seasons, is resigning to focus more time on his family. "We appreciate the time Coach Hackett spent leading teh Spartan footbal program and wish him much success in future coaching endeavors," said Mike Harvey, principle of Sun Valley HS. The School will begin the search for a new varsity football coach immediately. The Spartans will travel to Pageland Central Friday.

Parker Burke (CU)


Cavs Burke enters record book in his 1st career start

In his first start as a varsity quarterback sophomore Parker Burke joined an elite group by throwing 6 TDs in a game. Burke led the Cavs to a 47-30 win over Parkwood to open up the 2021 season. Burke connected on 12-of-17 for 220 yards and 6 TDs. Senior AJ Colombo was the main target for Burke who grabbed 7 of Burkes 12 completions for 117 yards and 3 TDs. Burke hooked up with senior Thomas Stamper for 2 catches which both went for scores. Sophomore Keenan Jackson also hauled in a TD in the win. The 6 TDs ties a Cuthbertson school record by Austin Kendall. The Union Co. record for TD passes in a game is held by former Marvin Ridge QB Austin Colonna with 7 vs. Concord in 2016. Burke joins an elite group of historic Union Co. quarterbacks with 6 TDs including Cuthbertson's own Austin Kendall, Sun Valley's Sam Howell and Weddington's Jeff Buseick and Whitner Litton. Congrats Parker!

Most Passing TDs in a single game

Shaleak Knotts (M)


Monroe's Knotts picks Maryland

4-Star recruit and Monroe Redhawk Shaleak Knotts announced his verbal commitment to the University of Maryland via his instagram account. Knotts waited 5 days till the 1st game of the 2021 season for his announcement. Knotts, the reigning UCHSF Player of the Year. Knotts finished 2nd in Union Co. in receptions with 34 and lead Union Co. in receiving yards with 607 and finished tied with teammate Elliot Reid with 7 receiving TDs. Knotts had a season high 126 yards receiving in the 39-27 win over Cuthbertson. Congrats Shaleak!


Pirates land 8 on the ALL-SW4A Team

Eight Porter Ridge Pirates found themselves named to the ALL-SW4A team as the 2020 (21) has concluded. Offensively the Pirates were represented by Brandon Perry, Will Hart, Jason Gonzalez, O'Marion Taylor and kicker Braedon McAlister. Defensivly the Pirates named were David Oden, Steven Zayachkowsky and Malik Jordan. Congrats boys! The Pirates join the SCC conference in 2021-2022 school year.  

Phil Mauro (PM)


Piedmont's Phil Muaro resigns as Head Coach!

The Piedmont Panthers will be looking for a new varsity football coach as Phil Mauro has resigned after 1 season in Unionville. The Panthers finished 1-5 and were unable to play 2 games in the COVID shortened spring football season. The Panthers lone win over Sun Valley 12-7 in Mauro’s final game at Piedmont. 

Will Shipley (W)


Weddington's Shipley will graduate early and head to Clemson

Weddington senior running back and the 2019 UCHSF Player of the Year Will Shipley, who helped lead the Warriors to back-to-back state championships in 2018 and 2019, will graduate early and enroll at Clemson on January 3. Shipley joined Waddington’s varsity team in 2017 as a freshman. In Shipley’s first year he ran for 690 yards and five touchdowns on 109 carries, while also catching 19 passes for 423 yards and another eight scores. Shipley’s junior year was his best season yet and one of the best seasons by any player in county history in 2019. While helping the Warriors go undefeated and earn their second-straight state championship, Shipley ran for over 2,000 yards, caught 34 passes for 582 yards and scored a county-record 42 total touchdowns.

Shipley leaves Union Co. as the 2nd all-time in career TDs with 80 behind Forest Hills' Juanne Blount and 7th all-time in rushing yards with 4173. Had Shipley stayed for his senior year he more than likey would set the career TDs scored record and would of become one of only 2 other Union Co. players to eclipse 5000 career rushing yards.

GOOD LUCK WILL....CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH YOU AT CLEMSON!

Career TDs scored

Career rushing yards

TDs scored in a season

Phil Mauro (PM)


Piedmont hires Phil Muaro as Head Coach!

Piedmont has been looking for a new coach since John Castador stepped down in late April after one season (1-9). The Panthers found their new HC in Phil Mauro. Mauro steps into the Panthers job after leaving Carrollton High School in Ohio. Mauro coached at Carrolton for two seasons (2017-to-2018) where he posted a 3-7 record in his first season and 5-5 in year two. Mauro comes from NE Ohio football which produces some of the best high school football in the country. Mauro has a career record of 188-122. Mauro was named the Ohio Coach of the Year from the Associated Press in 2007. 

Terrence Gittens (PW)


Parkwood names Gittens Head Coach!

The Parkwood Rebels have announced that Terrence Gittens has been named Head Football Coach. The Rebels announced the hirign via press release, "Parkwood High School is proud to announce Terrence Gittens as our new Head Football Coach! Coach Gittens comes to us from his previous position as Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Athletic Director at Cox Mill High School in Concord, NC. He served in this capacity at Cox Mill for the last 5 years. He has extensive background coaching football over a 20 year career, including stops at Union Pines and Pinecrest High Schools in NC, as well experience in his home state of New York. Coach Gittens was born in Brooklyn, NY. He played HS football at Tilden HS in Brooklyn and his college career took place at Cheyney University in Pennsylvania. He moved to North Carolina in 2008. Terrence has a son, Terrence, and a daughter Mya. The Gittens currently reside in Harrisburg, NC. Coach Gittens’ birthday is during football season on October 4! I invite the entire Parkwood community in welcoming Coach Gittens to Rebel Nation!

Will Shipley (W)


Weddington's Shipley picks Clemson!

5-Star recruit Will Shipley announced that he will be attending Clemson University on Twitter. Shipley, the rising senior at Weddington was UCHSF Player of the Year after putting up staggering numbers in 2019 and winning his 2nd State Title. Shipley ran for 2066 yards and 31 TDs while grabbing 34 passes for 582 yards adn 9 TDs. Shipley added 2 TDs on the defensive side of the ball for Coach Andy Capone and the Warriors. Congrats Will!!!

Past UCHSF News

Photos courtesy of Ashleigh Mock/Chris Summerville/Greg Arthur/Troy Cherry/Greg Stavish/Kim Cantey

2020 ©Union County High School Football