The North Union Warriors football team hit their stride at the tail end of the 2025 season, qualifying for the playoffs and knocking off previously undefeated GTRA before bowing out in round two. Now, as the Warriors enter year two of their transition to 8-man football, expectations remain high.
Head Coach Matt Ernster feels one of the biggest differences compared to a year ago is knowing more of what to expect.
With a deep roster of 42 strong, the returning skill position talent leads the way for the offense. After graduating 1200 yard rusher Draven Keeler, Carson Crouch and Jackson Hutchinson both are poised to see plenty of carries. Crouch rushed for 252 yards, averaging 7.6 yards per carry in 2025, and also ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns, while Hutchinson carried the ball 17 times for 116 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
Cooper Hoye leads the returning pass catches, after catching a team leading 7 touchdown passes last season and eclipsing 300 yards for the season.
Casey Rezac and Caden Zotz, both seniors, also look poised to have the ball in their hands, while state-medalist high jumper sophomore Max Heinen is another potential player to watch.
Senior quarterback Greyson Colegrove enters his third season as the starting quarterback. Colegrove threw for 770 yards with 11 touchdowns and three picks last season, while rushing for 468 yards and 12 more scores.
On the offensive line, the Warriors graduated two of last season’s three starters, but return center Max Merrill to anchor the unit.
Defensively, many of the same faces are expected to make an impact. Merrill, Hoye, Crouch, and Colegrove all recorded 29 or more tackles last season. Kyan Walter will be one of the key players called on to anchor the defensive line.
Ernster feels the Warriors have talent at all three levels of the defense.
After last season’s playoff berth, the Warriors are looking to take another step forwards in 2026.
North Union opens the season with a week zero game against Collins-Maxwell on August 21st.
