Surprise impact players

[tornado99]

Who are some players expected to have a big year stepping up that weren’t stars last year? 

[UnionGuy2017]

For Union, Abe Hall is really putting in the work at QB. Remember his name. 

[Real Sasquatch]

For Graham, I think Javon and Jaron Lane will make an impact this year on both sides of the ball.  Also interested to see if Kassius Bradshaw contributes this year .  I think Garrett Palmer has a lot of potential at QB. (All sophomores).

[UnionGuy2017]

Who will step up to the plate to replace Deel at Ridgeview this year?

[Observer]

12 hours ago, UnionGuy2017 said:

Who will step up to the plate to replace Deel at Ridgeview this year?

I would look for Hill and Grant to get a lot of carries this year.

[Union_Fan]

I think there will be several breakout stars for Union this Fall. Mostly due to being under utilized or misused last year.

Abe Hall has already been mentioned, but I'm also looking for Jones, Lomax, Dillman, Maddux, Milbro, Potter and a few others to have a great year.

I don't see a lack of skill players, but there was a lot of beef lost. Looking forward to seeing how some of the linemen have grown since last year.

[goose111874]

2 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

I think there will be several breakout stars for Union this Fall. Mostly due to being under utilized or misused last year.

Abe Hall has already been mentioned, but I'm also looking for Jones, Lomax, Dillman, Maddux, Milbro, Potter and a few others to have a great year.

I don't see a lack of skill players, but there was a lot of beef lost. Looking forward to seeing how some of the linemen have grown since last year.

Did Dillman have surgery to fix his back issues 

[Unchained]

3 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

I think there will be several breakout stars for Union this Fall. Mostly due to being under utilized or misused last year.

Abe Hall has already been mentioned, but I'm also looking for Jones, Lomax, Dillman, Maddux, Milbro, Potter and a few others to have a great year.

I don't see a lack of skill players, but there was a lot of beef lost. Looking forward to seeing how some of the linemen have grown since last year.

Got a look at that line. You will be pleased. This is going to be a VERY dangerous squad. Hamler is also going to be a playmaker.

[Union_Fan]

2 hours ago, goose111874 said:

Did Dillman have surgery to fix his back issues 

Last I heard he was scheduled to, but never got confirmation. 

[Union_Fan]

2 hours ago, Unchained said:

Got a look at that line. You will be pleased. This is going to be a VERY dangerous squad. Hamler is also going to be a playmaker.

Awesome!

I didn't mention Hamler because he wasn't on varsity last year. I've been keeping up with his middle school track success, though. Very much looking forward to watching him the next 4 years.

[JDHoss]

12 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

Awesome!

I didn't mention Hamler because he wasn't on varsity last year. I've been keeping up with his middle school track success, though. Very much looking forward to watching him the next 4 years.

What position? Is he TJ's kid? 

[1inStripes]

Line may be smaller at Union but it wouldn't surprise me if it isn't better due to better strength training in the spring and summer.

[Union_Fan]

1 hour ago, JDHoss said:

What position? Is he TJ's kid? 

TJ's is my understanding. Will be 9th grade in the Fall. Played on JV this past season, RB/DB.

Finished 6th place at the Adidas Middle school nationals in 100m hurdles.

Could be a very special player.

 

 

[Unchained]

26 minutes ago, 1inStripes said:

Line may be smaller at Union but it wouldn't surprise me if it isn't better due to better strength training in the spring and summer.

Perhaps a little bit smaller but much quicker and absolutely not a small line by any means. I do think it will be better once they gel.

[swvavol]

19 hours ago, goose111874 said:

Did Dillman have surgery to fix his back issues 

Yes he did

[1inStripes]

10 hours ago, Unchained said:

Perhaps a little bit smaller but much quicker and absolutely not a small line by any means. I do think it will be better once they gel.

Yeah I wasn't thinking they would be tiny.  Just not as big as last year across the front, but more agile and stronger will lead to better quite possibly.

[JDHoss]

11 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

TJ's is my understanding. Will be 9th grade in the Fall. Played on JV this past season, RB/DB.

Finished 6th place at the Adidas Middle school nationals in 100m hurdles.

Could be a very special player.

 

 

Looks like he has decent size for a rising freshman in the twitter video I watched. How big is he? 

[Union_Fan]

40 minutes ago, JDHoss said:

Looks like he has decent size for a rising freshman in the twitter video I watched. How big is he? 

5'7" - 170lbs

Not sure how accurate that is now. Growth spurts are kinda wild between 6th and 10th grades.

[JDHoss]

9 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

5'7" - 170lbs

Not sure how accurate that is now. Growth spurts are kinda wild between 6th and 10th grades.

He looked surprisingly thick for an 8th grader. It was hard to tell about his height because you don't know how tall the other kids are. 

[BigWinners]

If he’s anything close to his dad or uncle or rest of his dad’s family, he’s gonna be an athletic monster. TJ is one of the more underrated players from PV ever, explosive playmaker who could turn a game instantly. 

[Oopsie]

2 hours ago, BigWinners said:

If he’s anything close to his dad or uncle or rest of his dad’s family, he’s gonna be an athletic monster. TJ is one of the more underrated players from PV ever, explosive playmaker who could turn a game instantly. 

He has quality bloodline, Barry and Willie were good, then TJ, being at Union by his senior year under Harless I’d say he will be much wanted college prospect!

[honestjohn]

Carson Blankenship, Gunner Baker, Southern Gap Freshmen

[Gridiron60]

On 6/24/2026 at 4:57 PM, Real Sasquatch said:

For Graham, I think Javon and Jaron Lane will make an impact this year on both sides of the ball.  Also interested to see if Kassius Bradshaw contributes this year .  I think Garrett Palmer has a lot of potential at QB. (All sophomores).

I’ll definitely be interested to see how these guys progress along with a couple other sophomores. I also liked the Cecil kid last year when he played. He did a decent job for being fairly new to football. Also coming in as a freshman is , Jysir Williamson’s younger brother. 

We know his ability already but the Nash kid. It would be crazy if he ended his high school career with a perfect record. 

[rdh2443]

On 6/24/2026 at 7:44 PM, UnionGuy2017 said:

Who will step up to the plate to replace Deel at Ridgeview this year?

They will have Collin Hill, Alex Grant, Xander Wallace, and Braxton Deel (QB) for sure running the ball. I hear RV has some surprise offensive formations along with the formations they ended the season with last year that was so productive. It will be interesting and exciting. 

[Fairlawncat]

12 hours ago, rdh2443 said:

They will have Collin Hill, Alex Grant, Xander Wallace, and Braxton Deel (QB) for sure running the ball. I hear RV has some surprise offensive formations along with the formations they ended the season with last year that was so productive. It will be interesting and exciting. 

RV always seems to have bucket loads of talent and good players. RV needs that big win to take the next step and that big win was close last year with Union. RV might have the ingredients to represent Region D this year.