This year marks the 30th anniversary of Union County (Lake Butler) football’s first state title in program history.

In fact, the Tigers dominated Class 3A in the mid ’90s.

They won their first one in 1994 and won 52 games in a row and three straight FHSAA state titles (1994-1996) under current Williston coach Robby Pruitt, who recently won his 400th game overall.

Their last state championship game appearance was 21 years ago, a 21-6 loss to Pahokee in the Class 2B state title game in 2003 under then head coach Buddy Nobles.

Union County, which was also state runners-up in 1974 (2A), is seeking a title run after recent near misses and they’re off to a 6-0 start this season.

“We are definitely playing our best so far,” said Union County football coach Andrew Thomas, who won two state titles at Trenton High School. “We had a few games early in the season where we were still figuring ourselves out, was able to find ways to win and continue to expand on both sides, and we’ve stayed healthy which has been a big key.”

Offensively, the Tigers are averaging 34.8 points per game, including 45 or more in three of their last four games.

Thomas is also the offensive coordinator. It’s his system and he’s doing all the play calling.

“He’s a great offensive mind and there’s a reason he has won two state championships,” said assistant coach R.J. Fuhr, who works with the running backs. “His offensive system is very multiple, and his game plans and in-game adjustments are some of the best I’ve seen.”

Their signal caller on offense also calls the plays on a defense that is allowing just 7.7 ppg. with three shutouts.

Senior quarterback Trenton Klein (5’10, 182) leads the defense with 40 tackles and 14 tackles for a loss from his linebacker spot.

Klein has completed 39-of-60 (65%) passes for 618 yards and thrown for eight touchdowns with only one interception.

“Trenton Klein is first and foremost a great young man and a great leader,” Fuhr said. “He is a coach on the field on both sides of the ball at QB and Mike backer. He’s a dual threat QB and a smart, instinctive hard-hitting backer. He’s definitely one of the smartest high school football players I’ve ever been around.”

Drew Simmons leads the team in rushing. The sophomore has carried the ball 82 times for 770 yards (9.4 yards per carry) with 11 touchdowns on the ground and one touchdown receiving.

“Drew is a dynamic running back,” Fuhr said. “Not only does he have breakaway speed and change of direction, but for a smaller back he also breaks a lot of tackles. He also has very good hands out of the backfield.”

Tonight at 7:30 p.m., Thomas and the Tigers will host Class 1A Trinity Catholic (Ocala).

Thomas was the head coach at Trinity Catholic in 2018 and 2019. He finished with a record of 13-7 in his two seasons as head coach of the Celtics, including an 8-4 record and a second round Class 3A playoff appearance in year two.

“I have a lot of respect for that program, its history, Coach JB, the reason I took that job is because of that,” Thomas said. “None of their kids and none of their staff worked for me so nothing really tied to it personally except the admin there which I have a lot of respect for and appreciate the time I had there and being able to get that program back on its feet. Like to feel I’ll always be a part of the Celtic Nation.”

This will be the first meeting between the two teams in 16 years.

The Celtics defeated the Tigers, 35-7, in 2008 after Union County narrowly beat Trinity Catholic, 29-28, the previous season.

Despite a 1-6 record against a very difficult schedule, the Celtics have been Class 1S state runner-up the past two years under former Gator quarterback and Trinity Catholic head coach John Brantley.

It’s also Senior Night for the Tigers.

Thomas said his team has overachieved this year.

“I don’t think a lot of people thought we would have had the success this bunch has had so far,” he said. “We had a lot of young faces stepping into major roles. The season is still a long way from over, but this team and senior class has been the best leadership and disciplined team I’ve had here, and I believe that’s been the biggest difference.”

As the No. 1 team in the latest FHSAA Rural rankings, the Tigers are in great shape to host and make a lengthy postseason run.

Following tonight’s game, Union County will travel to Class 3A Hudson (2-5), followed by the regular season finale at Chiefland (6-1), which is currently ranked 5th in the Rural rankings.

Thomas said in order for the Tigers to win their first state title in 30 years they have to take things one game at a time.

“We can’t be complacent,” Thomas said. “Complacency will defeat us more than anything. We haven’t even talked about seeding/ranking at all. We are just preparing week to week to go win that day, that week. That’s the approach we’re going to continue to have. I think in the long run you always need a break here or there, state titles are extremely hard to get, need to stay healthy and continue to stay focused on getting better each day.”