Ezra Martin (UA)
Union Acadmey’s Ezra Martin joined the Union Co. record book after racking up 246 yards receiving in their playoff loss to Draughn HS. Martin had 6 receptions for the 246 yards and 2 TDs. Martin’s 246 yards has sitting 4th on the list. The Union Co. record for receiving yards in a game is held by Piedmont’s Dan Brooks with 288 receiving yards vs. Ashbrook in 2002. Congrats Ezra!
Parker Burke (CU)
Cuthberton's junior QB Parker Burke thew 6 TDs in a game for the 2nd time in his career. Burke connected on 15-of-23 passes for 281 yards and 6 TDs in the 41-14 win over Piedmont in the final game of the regular season. As a sophomore in his 1st start ever at QB Burke threw 6 TDs. Burke connected with Evan Taylor twice, Keenan Jackson twice & Corban Hall twice for the six scores. 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 and Monroe's Khamoni Robinson with 7. Burke joins an elite group of historic Union Co. quarterbacks with 6 TDs including Cuthbertson's own Austin Kendall, Sun Valley's Sam Howell, Forest Hills Brady Hibbard and Weddington's Jeff Buseick and Whitner Litton. Congrats Parker!
Evan Taylor (CU)
Cuthbertson junior receiver Evan Taylor tied the Union Co. record and Cuthbertson school record with 17 receptions in the 29-28 overtime loss to JM Robinson. Taylor ties the record currently held by former Cavalier AJ Colombo (’20) and former Porter Ridge Pirate Jamonta Pettiway (’08) with 17 receptions in a game. Tayler finished the game with 184 yards on 17 receptions and 3 TDs. Congrats Evan!
Tyler Budge (W)
Weddington’s junior QB Tyler Budge set a school record for passing yards in a game with 404 yards in a 49-32 road win over West Forsyth. Tyler is the 10th player in Union Co. history to throw for 400+ yards in a game. Budge joins some former Union Co. greats who threw for 400+ yards in Sun Valley’s Sam Howell (2015 & 16), Marvin Ridge’s Austin Colonna (‘15) and Sully McDermott (’19), CATA’s Travis Levine (’12) current Sun Valley head coach Ryan Smith (2009) and Budge’s very own head coach in Andy Capone (‘07). Budge connected on 29-of-41 passes and 3 TDs in the win. The previous Weddington school record for passing yards in a game was 353 yards by Whitner Litton vs. Marvin Ridge in 2017. Congrats Tyler!!
Brady Hibbard (M)
Yellow Jacket QB Brady Hibbard threw 6 TDs in the 54-7 route of Red Springs HS. Hibbard in his secord start at QB for Forest Hills was 10-of-15 for 110 yards and 6 TDs. Hibbard thew 2 TDs each to Jerel Bolder, Ross Smith and Kemarion Massey. Hibbard transfered to Forest Hills from Providence HS and now joins an elite group of historic Union Co. quarterbacks with 6 or more passing TDs in a game. The Union Co. record for passing TDs in a game is 7 and held by Monroe's Khamoni Robinson and Marvin Ridge's Austin Colonna. Congrats Brady and welcome to Union Co.
Stephan Zayachkowsky (PR)
Porter Ridge senior Stephan Zayachkowsky announced that he will continue he academics and football career at Charleston Southern University. Zayachkowsky announced his intentions on his twitter account, “Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my football journey! I’m proud to announce my commitment to play football at Charleston Southern University!”. Zayachkowsky, a 2-year starter for the Pirates and heading into his senior year was named 1st Team All-UCHSF as a junior and sophomore while being named All-SCC as well. Zayachkowsky has totaled 147 career tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 816 rushing yards, and nine touchdowns in his three years as a varsity starter for the Pirates. Congrats Stephan and good luck!
Andy Markatine (CU)
The Cuthbertson Cavaliers have named Andy Markatine as the new head football coach. The Cavs announced the news via their twitter account,"Cuthbertson Athletics is excited to announce our new HFC - Andy Markatine. He comes to @cuttyfootball after a 6-yrs as DC at Myers Park w/ 64-14 record, & last year as asst @ Wingate. Welcome to @CHS_Cavsnation Coach!" Markatine replaces Trey Kavanaugh who stepped down in May to pursue a college position at App. State. Kavanaugh was 13-18 over three seasons and led the Cavs to the 3rd round of the state playoffs in 2021. The Cavs will build around junior QB Parker Burke and junior WR Keenan Jackson moving forward in 2022. Good Luck Coach!!!
Trey Kavanaugh(CU)
Cuthbertson’s Trey Kavanaugh has stepped down as head football coach. The Cavaliers announced the move via their twitter account, “The Cuthbertson Athletic Department would like to thank Trey Kavanaugh for leading the football program these past three years. Coach Kavanaugh helped create a culture of Attitude, Pride, and Effort that will continue for seasons to come. We wish Coach Kavanaugh the best as he pursues his dreams, with the same mindset that he instilled during his time at Cuthbertson – FEARLESS. Again, from all of Cav Nation thank you and the best of luck in your future.”
Kavanaugh was 13-18 over three seasons and led the Cavs to the 3rd round of the state playoffs in 2021. The Cavs will build around junior QB Parker Burke and junior WR Keenan Jackson moving forward. Good Luck Coach!!!
Tim Boyd (PW)
The Wolf Pack have decided on their new head football coach. Parkwood announced the hire via their Twitter account, “Excited to announce our new Head Football Coach Tim Boyd! Glad to have you on board! Football parents and players, we will host a "meet the Coach" night Thursday June 2 at 6pm in the main gym! Coach Boyd joins the Wolf Pack from his most recent stop as Defensive Coordinator at Guilford College. His coaching career includes time at CD at Mallard Cree HS, as well as Chester HS—winning a state championship in 2018. He began his HS coaching career as an assistant at York High in SC. He is a graduate of Clover HS, and currently resides in Rock Hill with his wife and 4 children. Coach Boyd replaces Coach Gittens who sadly unexpectedly passed away earlier this year.”
The Wolf Pack was 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the rocky river in 2021 and advanced to the 2nd round of the state playoffs. Parkwood will continue to build around 3 seniors on offensive in QB Cam Enos, RB Wisdom Holmes and WR Isaiah Mobley. Parkwood opens the 2022 season on August 19th hosting Cuthbertson.
Ryan Smith (SV)
Sun Valley has named former Spartan standout Ryan Smith the new head football coach. Sun Valley AD Keith Mason made the announcement via his twitter account, “We are excited to announce Ryan Smith as our next Head Football Coach! Please join us in welcoming Coach Smith back home!” Smith takes over a Sun Valley program that finished 2021 2-8 after Drew Hackett stepped down as head football coach after 4 games into the 2021 season. Sun Valley has a good core returning for 2022 with QB Brady Turriff, WR Landon Thomas, RB Tony McFadden on offense and DB Eli Fletcher on defense. Smith was the receivers coach at Weddington the past three years. Smith played quarterback at Sun Valley from 2009-2011 and finished his Spartan playing career as Union Co.’s 4th all-time leading passer with 6624 yards and thew 76 TDs which stands 3rd all time in Union Co. history. Welcome back Coach Smith and Congrats!!