Senior Night
By JARED PUTNAM

Seniors from band, cheerleading, and football pose together for a photo during "Senior Night," which was part of the Panthers final home game Friday night.

Union County High School celebrated Senior Night Friday, in addition to Football Homecoming ceremonies, as the Panthers fell 41-0 to North Oconee in the final home game of the season.

This year's football seniors included James Adamson, Brett Bridges, Cason Carter, Cody Graham, Taylor Neely, Kody Owenby, Josh Payne and Matt Schmidt. Football cheerleader seniors included Courtney Burrell, Maggie Chatham, Leila Partin, and Jordan West. Seniors in band included Beth Berger, Bonnie Blackmer, Jonathan Butler, Peter Dohogne, Grady Garner, Ashley Goforth, Jasmin Gonzales, Andrew Groeger, Chelsea Hansen, Kristin Heuker, Katie Jones, Alyica Loftis, Michael Perricone, Jason Reid, Kristen Servis, Nathan Sprayberry, Will Stafford, and Amanda Willis.

"I'd like to have every one of them back next year," said Head Coach Todd Peugh of his players. "They have done a lot of things we have asked them to do and I would love to have seen them have more success. But I'm hoping if we can ever get the program turned around they can feel like [they had a hand] in turning it around."

Kody Owenby scrambles against the North Oconee defense.

The coach said he hoped that this senior class has learned life lessons from being in the program. "As coach you hope you had some

kind of influence on them through the years," said Coach Peugh. "I think they did as good of a job as they could do leading and trying to set examples. Sticking with it shows what kind of people they are."

All of the seniors started Friday and each saw a healthy amount of playing time. "This was their time," said the coach.

Coach Peugh said that the time and effort put in by these players will stick with them throughout the years. "Whenever a senior graduates, I want them to be able to come back in and talk to us," said Coach Peugh. "They are always going to be a part of what we are trying to do, whether it is out in the community or whatever else. Just like any alumni that has come through here, they are going to have a vested interest in what we do."

Defensive back Cody Graham tackles the North Oconee quarterback.