Union City Bears
Coach: Brian Patten (4th season)
2008 overall record: 7-3
2008 region record (place): 5-3 (tied for 3rd, Region 2)
Playoff results: Lost to Farrell 25-0 in the District 10 Class A first round
Brett Smith
Top players lost: QB/DB Eric Albrecht, RB/LB Tyler Boyce, OL/DL Ryan Coleman, OL/LB Tyler Dawson, RB/DB Todd Jackson, TE/LB Andrew Miller, ST Jordan Landis
Top returning players: WR/DB Brett Smith, TE/DE Tyler Williams, OL/DL Evan Wolfe, FB/DL Jared Burger, RB/DB Robbie Hollis, RB/DB Shane Rankin, K Tony Pelc, OL/DL Jesse Vazquez, TB/DB Luke Hetrick, WR/DB Cody Morris, QB/DB Lewis Pisani, OL/DL Kasey Oakes, WR/DB Buddy Arnold, QB/DB Ryan Myers, OL/LB Phil Sewell, ATH Colton Yost, RB/LB Curtis Brown, OL William Manross, QB Coltin Warner
Key games: Sept. 18 vs. Cambridge Springs, Sept. 25 at Iroquois, Oct. 2 vs. Eisenhower, Nov. 7 at Mercyhurst Prep
Jared Burger
Outlook: As Brian Patten enters his 4th season at the helm in Union City, few know what to expect from the Bears this season. The program won two games total in Patten’s first two seasons, being a part of more homecoming games than they would have liked, before busting out for seven wins and a trip to the D-10 Class A playoffs last season. That 2008 run ended at the hands of one of the best Class A teams in the state, Farrell, who defeated Union City 25-0. Much of the Bears’ turnaround had to do with Eric Albrecht, a first-team all-region quarterback and defensive back who was lost to graduation. Albrecht was the team’s leading passer and rusher last season, scoring a combined 23 touchdowns. His top blocker, all-region tackle Tyler Dawson, also graduated. For line play, the Bears will look to Michael and Matt Woodley, Zach Lowry and Bernie Nothum, who will be fighting for playing time. The line also returns second-team all-region Evan Wolfe. The Bears lost four more key seniors in tight end Andrew Miller, defensive lineman Ryan Coleman, linebacker Tyler Boyce and defensive back Todd Jackson. Coach Patten the seniors will be missed on and off the field where they kept things light and led by example. This year’s new group of seniors looks to be led by wide receiver Brett Smith, all-region defensive lineman and crushing fullback Jared Burger, tight end/defensive end Tyler Williams, running back Robbie Hollis and several others. The Bears’ senior kicker, Tony Pelc, required offseason shoulder surgery, but Patten hopes to have him ready for the start of the season. Hollis will likely get the bulk of the carries out of the backfield but will share time with Burger and Lewis Pisani. Along with his veterans, Patten will add four new players to the Union City squad, many of whom are stars in other sports . This group includes basketball player Buddy Arnold, who will look to play wide receiver and defensive back, Ryan Myers, from the cross country team, Colton Yost, from the golf team, and Phil Sewell, a transfer from South Carolina. Look for those four players to receive solid playing time. Whether the Bears make it back to the playoffs or not, Patten wants his players to learn life lessons, have fun and have football be a positive experience for them. And most of all, he’s just glad Union City isn’t on everybody’s homecoming schedule anymore.
Schedule:
September
5 at Lakeview 7
11 at Cochranton* 7
18 Cambridge Springs* 7
25 at Iroquois* 7
October
2 Eisenhower* 7
9 at Saegertown* 7
15 Harborcreek Youth* 7
23 Youngsville* 7
30 Conneaut Valley 7
November
7 at Mercyhurst Prep* 1
*Region 2 game
Sunday: Region 5 and Region 6 previews
