The Union County High School football Patriots may have lost against Anderson County in state playoffs on Nov. 2, but the season was stacked with wins for the team. And while the loss to Anderson County may have stung, it also marked the first time the Patriots made it to state playoffs in 14 years.

Coach Larry Kerr counts this as a cause to celebrate.

"It's like I told the kids, once you get past the pain of that loss, you'll be able to look at what you all have accomplished this year that's never been done before," he said.

Kerr said the season started off rough with a close loss to Cumberland Gap, but after that the wins started coming. A 59-0 win against Cosby was followed by a 69-0 loss to top-ranked Greeneville. Then, Union County picked up a win against Claiborne High, the first in years, followed by two wins, then a double-overtime defeat by Sullivan South. Finally, the Patriots stomped Grainger 20-8, a team they'd lost to 49-7 last year.

Kerr said he was surprised by this year's success.

"I didn't know. Nobody did," he said. "(Going to playoffs) has never been a goal for Union County. The prior places I've coached, that was our goal starting in August. But in Union County at this point, I don't think we've done enough to realistically say that would be a goal for us."

But after last year's breaking of the Patriots' 29-game losing streak and this year's wins and close finishes, the community took notice and rallied around the Patriots.

"It was great," Kerr said. "I saw the community come around. People started identifying with the football program. This community is starving for a football program. I think people are realizing now that we've got a football team that's competitive. It's something the community can rally behind. The athletes are working hard and building some pride."

There are several factors that Kerr said went into the season's success. Numbers were a big one, with 50 athletes on the team as opposed to last year's 19. Kerr said he hopes to see that grow to at least 60 for next season. That, too, is due to last year's wins.

"They were winning ball games," Kerr said. "They went 29 in a row winless, but they won three last year, and I think the kids started believing. They bought into it and worked hard. We spent hours and hours in the weight room on conditioning. Hard work pays off if you do it in the right direction and stay focused."

Two new coaches came on board this year, too. Steve Smith coached running backs, and Derek Marlow coached defense.

He also thanked Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Carter, UCHS principal Carmen Murphy and athletic director Shane Brown for their support.

"They have done everything I've asked," he said, including helping buy new equipment and uniforms and adding a fourth period weight training class to get more athletes in the program.

Kerr said he doesn't like naming team members because he "always forgets somebody," but he took a stab at it. He called team captains Colby Dawson and Dalton Truan "the backbone" of the team. Dawson especially, Kerr said, since this is his fourth year on the team, and he stuck with it through that long losing streak.

"He went through a lot," said Kerr.

Quarterback Joey Chamberlain and receiver Tyler Spencer were also crucial to the team's success, along with juniors Alonzo Creech and Kristian Britt. Linebacker Zach Pierce is another "outstanding" returning junior whose senior year will bode well for the team.

Senior running back Jesse Byrne was another standout.

"He just ran hard every week," said Kerr.

Kerr, who came out of retirement to coach the Patriots, said he plans to return next year.

"The good Lord's willing, and my health stays good, I've got no reason not to come back," he said. "I'm enjoying it. It's been a great ride for me. I'm enjoying watching the kids grow and succeed. It's making this old man's heart warm."

For next season, Kerr said the team will be working hard in the weight room and in the classroom.

"Those things are so important. You've got to be doing those things or you're doing it backwards," he said.

He also hopes to keep upgrading the school's football facilities.

"The more people we can get buying in at Union County, the better it will make our football program," he said. "Go Patriots!"