2026 Football Preview: Union

The Union County Yellow Jackets enter the 2026 season looking for a fresh start after finishing 1-10 a year ago, and they’ll do so under a familiar face.

Longtime assistant and offensive coordinator Bryan Robinson takes over as head coach, bringing deep ties to Union County football. Robinson played offensive line for the Yellow Jackets in the 1990s, earning Shrine Bowl honors, and later began a coaching career that included stops at Sims and Jonesville Middle Schools. He also coached alongside David Lipsey at Jonesville High School prior to consolidation.

When Union County’s high schools consolidated in 2007, Robinson joined the staff at the newly formed Union County High School. Nearly two decades later, he now takes over the program as its head coach.

Robinson has spent the offseason working to establish a new culture within the program, and he has been pleased with the response.

He praised the leadership development he’s seen not only from the seniors, but also from the underclassmen. Robinson has been particularly impressed with the incoming ninth graders, who stepped in this summer and completed the same work as the varsity.

Summer participation was strong across the program. Twenty-two players earned the team’s 100 Percent Club by completing every required workout, while two players actually exceeded the requirement and finished at 110 percent.

Competition at Quarterback

One of the biggest questions entering the season remains at quarterback, where junior Shiro Crosby and Sophmore JJ Kershaw continue to compete for the starting job.

Whoever wins the job will have plenty of options in the backfield. Union County expects to use a running-back-by-committee approach featuring seniors Kam Fincher and Jemarius Smith, along with juniors Myking Rogers and Noah Tucker.

Another name to watch is Lodon Veal.

Veal entered Union County highly regarded as a freshman, but a knee injury cut his freshman season short. He has continued to rehab and work toward a return, with the Yellow Jackets hoping he can get some reps in Friday’s preseason action against Batesburg-Leesville as he prepares for Week 1.

Two-Way Contributors Will Be Key

Union County will rely on several players to contribute on both sides of the football, making managing workloads an important part of the season.

Up front, Jamyri Rice, Akeem Sims, Caleb Robinson, Lucas Beavers, Levi Gentry and Zycorrian Jeter are expected to be key contributors on the offensive and defensive lines.

Behind them, junior Mason Bennett and Ur’Majesty Garrett give Union County a pair of linebackers expected to play significant roles defensively.

Ben Hale brings versatility to the roster and could contribute in all three phases as a kicker, slot receiver and safety.

New-Look Coaching Staff

Robinson will be joined by assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Jon Langenfeld, another longtime fixture in Union County athletics. Langenfeld has been at Union County since consolidation in 2007 and has also headed up a highly successful Yellow Jacket wrestling program.

Jarred O’Shields will serve as offensive coordinator and Offensive Line Coach. O’Shields played under Robinson as an offensive lineman while Robinson was the offensive line coach for Union County.

New additions to the staff include Billy Ponder coaching tight ends, Bailey Gregory and Jon Sexton working with the running backs, Shemar Glenn with the wide receivers, Jake Inabinet with the linebackers and Nik Lopez with the defensive backs. Matthew Gibson will coach safeties and special teams, while Freddie Bates will also work with special teams.

James “Cornbread” Barnett will continue to serve as Director of Football Operations.

After a difficult 1-10 season, there is plenty of work ahead for the Yellow Jackets. There is a new head coach, a quarterback competition still to be decided and a roster that will depend heavily on players contributing on both sides of the ball.

But Robinson has been encouraged by the way his players have responded throughout the offseason.

For the former Yellow Jacket and Shrine Bowl offensive lineman, taking over his alma mater brings his Union County football journey full circle. Robinson has been part of the program since Union County High School’s beginning in 2007.

Now, for the first time, it’s his program to lead.

2026 Schedule

8/21 @ Newberry

8/28 vs Greer

9/4 vs Chester

9/11 @ Woodruff

9/18 @ Clinton

9/25 vs Lancaster

10/2 vs Broome

10/9 OFF

10/16 vs Blue Ridge

10/23 @ Chapman

10/30 @ Christ Church

Bold = Region Game