Union Redhawks OK 2024 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the month of July and that means it's preview time! Throughout the month of July and even into August, we are publishing well over 100 of the most in-depth team previews that you'll find anywhere to get you completely ready for the 2024 football season. This is something that began for us at PRZ-Oklahoma in 2021 and it continues to get bigger and better every single year. We're looking forward to diving deep into the top teams across the state in every class. From defending champions, to the top contenders and plenty of dark horses and other teams to know, we'll have complete coverage every single day. There will be multiple previews dropping every single day! In this post, we take a look at the Union Redhawks!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Union Redhawks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #3 In Class 6A-1<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #4 In Class 6A-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Kirk Fridrich - 18th Season - 182-37 Record At Union</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (10-2 Record - Lost In Class 6A-1 Semifinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 24 - Beat Westmoore 49-7<br>Sept. 1 - Beat Broken Arrow 27-17<br>Sept. 8 - Lost To Jenks 31-24<br>Sept. 22 - Beat Owasso 55-22<br>Sept. 29 - Beat Yukon 63-7<br>Oct. 6 - Beat Norman 65-0<br>Oct. 13 - Beat Mustang 46-7<br>Oct. 19 - Beat Edmond Santa Fe 31-10<br>Oct. 27 - Beat Edmond Memorial 37-21<br>Nov. 2 - Beat Edmond North 50-14<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Westmoore 35-14<br>Semifinals - Lost To Jenks 33-27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 42.4 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 15.3 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Union Redhawks would once again be considered one of the top contenders in Class 6A-1 but for the second straight year, the season came to an end in the semifinal round. The Redhawks started off the 2023 season with impressive wins in the first month and a trip up on the road against rival Jenks. Union would get bit by the turnover bug in that week two clash and dropped their only game of the regular season. They would go on to win seven in a row to close out the regular season. Despite losing their star quarterback in week six, the Redhawks would still roll to the district championship. Their quarterback returned for the playoffs and they would see rival Jenks in the semifinals. Union fell to the Trojans for the second time in 2023 and just like that, the season came to an end. It was the second straight year of “what could have been?” for the Redhawks but they were still in the mix for the Class 6A-1 state championship. Now, they look to climb the mountain again and finish it off with their first state championship since 2016. New playmakers emerged in 2023 and the offense was absolutely rolling in the first half of the season. They kept that momentum going, even with a freshman quarterback running the show on offense. The Redhawks would continue their streak of playoff appearances but there's no doubt that as we enter the 2024 season, the Redhawks want to get over that semifinal hump.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's Union team will have a good mix of returning experience and talented new faces. They bring back six starters on the offensive side of the ball and it's a good mix of names in every spot. They have a good blend of skill position players as well as returning starters on the offensive line. Union's coaches are excited about the development of the offensive and defensive lines this offseason and that could end up being an area of strength this season. We mentioned Union losing their star quarterback for half of the 2023 season and if he's healthy for all of 2024, we expect him to be one of the very best players in the state. On the defensive side of the ball, Union only returns three starters from last year's team and the majority of that experience will come from the secondary. But the Redhawks do have some talent on the front end, they just consist of new names to the program. This year's Union team is not unlike some of the teams we've seen in the last few years. On paper, the Redhawks look incredibly talented and should be in the mix when the 2024 season begins. A big key will be how this team blends together over the next six months. The Redhawks have what it takes to win the state championship. The only question is whether or not they can do it on the field and bring home their first gold ball since 2016 and what would be their tenth title in school history.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KEY LOSSES TO GRADUATION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brendon McQueen - Wide Receiver<br>Devon Jordan - Defensive Back<br>Issac Covington - Running Backs/Defensive Back<br>Jino Boyd - Wide Receiver<br>Lane Wood - Linebacker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349831"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66881ce9ee069"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned earlier how the strength of the Union defense could come from the secondary, with the majority of their returning starters coming from that area. Union senior cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='349831' first='Ashton' last='Cunningham'] is one of those returning starters and he's really turned a corner in the last six months as a prospect on the defensive side of the ball. Cunningham has gone from a good cornerback prospect to a great one and one of the best in his class. And because of that, Cunningham saw his recruitment absolutely explode and recently committed to Boston College. Cunningham has definitely been a name to watch within this Union defense and will be this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["205531"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66881ce9ee0da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Union senior [player_tooltip player_id='205531' first='Boston' last='Carrasco'] is one of the Union standouts we're fired up to see the most this season. He has the potential to be a couple things for the Redhawks this season. First off, Carrasco could very well be the leading receiver on the offense and that's not much of a stretch. Carrasco is also electric in the return game in special teams and will also play a little defense. But it's what the Union senior can do on offense and in the return game that makes him absolutely electric. We saw glimpses of that kind of potential and production last season. As we look ahead to this season, we think Carrasco elevates his game to being Union's top all around weapon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211549"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66881ce9ee133"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the new additions to the defensive side of the ball is senior [player_tooltip player_id='211549' first='DJ' last='Strother'] at the linebacker position. Strother began his career at Beggs and was a big contributor to their defense over the last three seasons. Now, he joins a Union defense that needs new names to step up in the front seven specifically. Strother will slide right into the inside linebacker position for this Union defense and the transition should be an easy one. Strother is a tackling machine and he gives the Redhawks a defensive standout that knows how to fly around and make plays. He has a high on-field IQ and that obviously comes from standing out on the field for three years now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211568"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66881ce9ee185"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Union will benefit from having multiple guys on the roster that will be going into their fourth year as a starter and senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='211568' first='Jesse' last='Jones'] is one of them. Jones has been known and covered by us for a while now for what he can do on the offensive side of the ball. The versatility is obvious considering he's played all five of the positions on the offensive line. Then you throw in the fact that Union is looking to Jones to create more depth on the defensive side of the ball and you have an even more versatile player and prospect. While there's no doubt that Jones' greatest value comes from the offensive side of the ball, don't overlook what he can do on defense this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["439153"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66881ce9ee1d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Union senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='439153' first='Jordan' last='Schelling'] had a solid first year in the backfield with the Redhawks but he's hungry for much more this season. Schelling dealt with nagging injuries throughout the year so it was tough to say that he was ever at 100 percent at any point during the season. When he is at 100 percent, Schelling has the potential to be one of the better running backs in 6A-1. He's proven that over the last two seasons and nothing changes in 2024. With a strong and improving offensive line, we think that Schelling could produce at a high level this season. And if that happens, that's going to take a lot of pressure off Union's passing game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["188014"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66881ce9ee223"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Union star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='188014' first='Shaker' last='Reisig'] is back for this third season as QB1 for the Redhawks and his fourth season starting in 6A-1 football. Reisig missed the second half of the regular season a year ago with a shoulder injury but he's back and 100 percent and ready to go out on top. Last year, Reisig was arguably the most accurate quarterback in the state and he was putting up monster numbers before the shoulder injury. We have no doubt that he'll pick up where he left off in the first half of the season last year. This offseason, Reisig was committed to Utah before a visit to Boston College would sway that commitment and he's been committed to the Eagles since June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daijon Gianes - 2026 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1316039' first='Jackson' last='Franklin'] - 2025 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='846614' first='Josiah' last='Hammond'] - 2025 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='724376' first='JT' last='Fridrich'] - 2025 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1549153' first='Kris' last='Mendenhall'] - 2025 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='724375' first='Myles' last='Davis'] - 2025 Tight End/Punter<br>[player_tooltip player_id='485526' first='Noah' last='Gillespie'] - 2027 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='858876' first='Tayveon' last='Parry'] - 2026 Running Back|<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1451368' first='Tucker' last='Koch'] - 2026 Linebacker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 SCHEDULE/GAMES TO CIRCLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - AT Bentonville, AR.<br>Sept. 6th - AT Stillwater<br><strong>Sept. 13th - Jenks<br></strong>- It's Union hosting Jenks. This match-up is one of the marquee games every single year. But there's no doubt that the storylines write themselves with the 2024 meeting. First off, Jenks got the best of the Redhawks in the regular season and then again in the semifinals last year. Throw in the fact that there are quite a few former Trojans on this Union roster and this rivalry has gone to another level. It's only week two but anytime these teams face off, it feels like a playoff game. <br>Sept. 27th - AT Edmond Santa Fe<br><strong>Oct. 4th - Owasso<br></strong>- The Redhawks will play host to Owasso in week five and the second week of district play. The winner of the Owasso-Union match-up usually ends up taking home the district championship. So despite this only being the halfway point of the regular season, it wouldn't be surprising if the district championship gets decided here. The match-up with Owasso will provide a significant challenge, specifically on the line of scrimmage as the Rams have a ton of talent on the offensive and defensive lines. <br>Oct. 11th - AT Norman North<br>Oct. 17th - Yukon<br><strong>Oct. 25th - Broken Arrow<br></strong>- For the first time in nearly two decades, Union will square off with Broken Arrow in a district contest. These two teams have been non-district foes every year since 2007, with that being the last time they played in district play. And this has also been a series of winning streaks for each side. From 2009-2017, Union won 14 in a row. The Tigers won four in a row from 2018-2020. And ever since the start of the 2021 season, the Redhawks have won six in a row against the Tigers. <br>Nov. 1st - AT Westmoore<br>Nov. 7th - Edmond Memorial </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no doubt that Union is hungrier than ever as we come into the 2024 football season. The last two years have ended in heartbreak and the Redhawks are determined to not let this year end with a similar feeling. After making it to the 2021 state title game and coming up short to rival Jenks, the Redhawks have been beaten in the semifinals in each of the last two years in dramatic fashion. First, they fell to Owasso in the 2022 semifinals in a game that went six overtimes before the Rams would finally send Union home. Last season, they were leading rival Jenks 21-0 and looked like they were cruising to Edmond to play for another state title. Jenks would rally, they would score with less than a minute to play and just like that, Union's season came to an end in another way that nobody saw coming. The Redhawks will once again be in the mix in 6A-1 this season. There's no debating that. And they'll look to finish the job in the playoffs when November and December rolls around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LAST FIVE SEASONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 - 10-2 - Lost In Class 6A-1 Semifinals<br>2022 - 11-1 - Lost In Class 6A-1 Semifinals<br>2021 - 11-2 - Class 6A-1 Runner Ups<br>2020 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 6A-1 Semifinals<br>2019 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 6A-1 Quarterfinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>9 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2016 - Beat Norman North 57-43<br>2011 - Beat Broken Arrow 23-22<br>2010 - Beat Jenks 50-47<br>2009 - Beat Jenks 52-19<br>2008 - Beat Jenks 34-20<br>2005 - Beat Mustang 33-7<br>2004 - Beat Jenks 27-17<br>2002 - Beat Broken Arrow 52-3<br>1963 - Beat Mooreland 24-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->