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By C.Y. Peters

As the Unaka Rangers gear up for their highly anticipated season opener against the Chuckey-Doak Black Knights on Friday night, excitement and uncertainty surround the team. Last year, the Rangers enjoyed a successful run, largely due to a group of standout seniors who anchored both sides of the ball. However, this year brings new challenges as Unaka must rebuild key parts of their team, particularly up front, after the departure of key players.

The graduation of Tyler Smith, Marcus Shomaker, and Aidan Peterson has left significant gaps in Unaka’s offensive and defensive lines. All three were multi-year starters, with Shomaker earning All-State honors for his contributions. The loss of Isaiah White, another All-State player, is perhaps the most painful. White was a cornerstone of the Rangers’ offense and a disruptive force on defense. His ability to create plays from the edge and his leadership on the field will be missed.

Replacing those stalwarts is a tall order, and the task falls to a group of younger, less experienced players. Nathan Bailey, Ayden Turner, Caleb Burdick, Cristobal Lopez, and Bradley Lash are expected to step up and fill the void left by the departed stars. Bailey, fortunately, gained some starting experience last year due to injuries, but for most of the others, this will be their first real taste of varsity football. Head coach Bennett acknowledges the challenge ahead but is confident his new linemen are ready to rise to the occasion.

“I know we’ve got some big shoes to fill,” Coach Bennett admitted. “But these young guys are hungry. They’ve been working hard all summer, and they know what’s expected of them. We’ll lean on Nathan [Bailey] for leadership in the trenches, but it’s time for everyone to step up.”

Unaka will also rely heavily on the leadership of veterans Jake Taylor and Chris Good. Both players will be called upon to anchor the team on both sides of the ball, and their experience will be vital in helping the younger players acclimate to the speed and physicality of varsity football.

“They’ve been through the wars, and we need their leadership,” Bennett said of Taylor and Good. “They know what it takes to compete at this level, and their example is going to set the tone for the rest of the team.”

The season opener against Chuckey-Doak presents a formidable challenge for Unaka. The Black Knights, a 3A school, is a larger and more athletic opponent. Their quarterback is a dual-threat playmaker who can hurt teams both through the air and on the ground. With a talented and athletic backfield, the Black Knights are known for running hard and wearing down defenses.

“Chuckey-Doak is always a tough matchup,” Bennett said. “They’ve got athletes all over the field, and their QB is a special player. He can beat you in a lot of ways, so we have to be disciplined on defense.”

Unaka’s defensive unit, led by linebackers Brynin Repass and Micah Gray, will have to be at their best to contain Chuckey-Doak’s explosive offense. The secondary, featuring Draedyn Freeman, Connor McKinney, Ashton Fuller, Dylan Davidson, and Ben Shutko, will be tasked with covering the Black Knights’ dangerous passing attack.

“We know they run hard in the backfield, so we have to be physical at the point of attack,” Bennett added. “It’s going to take multiple hats to the ball on every play. We can’t let them dictate the pace.”

Despite the daunting task ahead, Unaka has the advantage of playing on their home field, and the Rangers are determined to make a statement in front of their fans. The energy and excitement surrounding the game have built steadily, and the players are eager to prove that they can compete with one of the tougher teams on their schedule.

As Unaka prepares to take the field, the stage is set for a competitive and hard-fought game. The Rangers may have lost some of their key players, but with a new group stepping up and experienced veterans leading the way, they aim to start the season strong and prove they are ready for the challenges ahead.

Gametime is at 7 pm on Friday night at Unaka High School.