From underachievers to underdogs, the Union Hill Bulldogs have been on a roller coaster ride in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Union Hill has been the Gilmer school that nobody talks about during football season for quite some time; and with the success the Buckeyes have on the field, that might not come as a surprise.
The Bulldogs recently made the drop from 11-man to 6-man
football and by a stroke of luck landed one of the best head coaches that 6-man has to offer, Shane Mallory. Mallory won a State Championship with Throckmorton in 2014, and has also had stints at Strawn, Gordon, and Hermleigh. While at Hermleigh, Coach Mallory found himself in a similar position as the one he is currently in at Union Hill.
Hermleigh hadn’t won a playoff game in over 40 years and in his one season at the helm of the Cardinals, Mallory led them to a 10-3 season and a bi-district win against Aspermont. Last season he made the move to Union Hill and lead the Bulldogs to a 12-2 record, making it to the semifinals last season and coming up short to Jonesboro 50-46.
Union Hill is poised to make another deep run this season, the Bulldogs return 3 starters on offense and defense, including two all-state players junior running back Gabe Nelson, who rushed for 2,265 yards and 48 TDs
as a sophomore last season and senior LB Colt Mallory, who happens to be the coach’s son.
Union Hill is predicted to win their district this season, followed by High Island, Leverett’s Chapel, Chester, and Apple Springs. Union Hill has a legitimate shot at winning a state championship this season, which would be their first since 1982 and the third overall. East Texas is known for producing talent and winning State Championships and with a leader like
Coach Mallory, the Bulldogs have the potential of becoming a dominant force in the Piney Woods, as well as the State in Six-Man football.
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