Union Parish Farmers | Offseason 3-2-1 Spotlight

Union Parish celebrated its first state championship since 2013 this past December and in the process reveled in the opportunity to disprove doubts raised after three straight runner-up finishes and the graduation of a record-setting star running back.   Coach Joe Spatafora remained confident in his Farmers throughout the process and beamed over the work they put in and consistent, title-contending program they were proving to be.   And even with another set of leaders now off to their next phase in life, Union Parish figures to be a team to watch every postseason.   The Farmers are among the first stops of Prep Redzone Louisiana's series of "Offseason 3-2-1" spotlights looking at three key returning standouts, two notable breakout candidates and one underclassman to know sooner than later.     3 WELL-KNOWN RETURNERS   [player_tooltip player_id='710084' first='Tyquereis' last='Wilson'] — 5-11, 170 LB — Union Parish (2025)   No better place to start with the Farmers' returning productivity than the Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year, a quick and physical tackle machine whose statistics have climbed each season up to 212 tackles, 20 for loss, nine sacks and six forced fumbles this past fall as a junior. Wilson's career numbers should end up in special territory, and he and defensive tackle Tyreon Traylor will be two of the veteran leaders returning to a largely new-look defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1221049' first='Josh' last='Moy'] — 6-2, 305 OL — Union Parish (2025)   Among the reasons for Spatafora's confidence was the strength he knew the Farmers had in the trenches, and Moy proved to be an all-state performer in a group that helped pave the way to nearly 4,000 rushing yards. The big, mauling left guard returns and the bulk of the line are all slated to be back, including fellow rising seniors Curtis "C.J." Benson, Marco Knighten and Antonio Traylor and rising junior Tamarrion Holly.   [player_tooltip player_id='1221195' first='Chase' last='Meeking'] — 6-2, 190 ATH — Union Parish (2025)   The Farmers' multisport standout earned a few Prep Redzone Louisiana and Prep Hoops Louisiana mentions throughout his junior year, which included him leading the team in receiving with 419 yards and seven touchdowns on 20 catches. The versatile, three-phase weapon also intercepted two passes; racked up 32 tackles, including three for loss; and earned a few more opportunities with the ball in his hands on three kick returns and two carries.     2 BREAKOUT CANDIDATES   [player_tooltip player_id='1348530' first='Javion' last='Island'] — 5-6, 140 RB — Union Parish (2026)   For the second consecutive year, the Farmers will have to replace an all-state running back who racked up more than 2,000 yards. [player_tooltip player_id='1202531' first='Jy'Marion' last='Island'] carried in impressive fashion the torch passed by the record-setting Trey Holly, and now the younger Island figures to have an opportunity to play a major role — alongside rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1220996' first='Derrick' last='Dew'] — in Union Parish continuing its success on the ground. Javion earned a handful of touches as a sophomore, and the Farmers graduated three of the four players (everyone but Dew) to have earned more handoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1237632' first='Ari' last='Slocum'] — 6-4, 275 TE — Union Parish (2026)   Consider the Farmers' versatile trench athlete among the aforementioned offensive line group, where he extends the front as another big-bodied blocker. But Slocum also showed his threat as a pass-catcher with three receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns and chipped in some defensive line reps — a role where he could see more action given the team's turnover on that side of the ball.     1 UNDERCLASSMAN TO KNOW   [player_tooltip player_id='1356144' first='Braxton' last='Patterson'] — 5-6, 150 LB/DB — Union Parish (2027)   The Farmers graduated eight of their top 11 tacklers, statistically, from this past fall's team with the only exceptions being a pair of rising seniors in Wilson and Traylor and the young, but productive hybrid linebacker/safety. Patterson's 82 tackles were fifth on the team, with his 39 solo stops second to only Wilson.

Union Parish celebrated its first state championship since 2013 this past December and in the process reveled in the opportunity to disprove doubts raised after three straight runner-up finishes and the graduation of a record-setting star running back.