A Clash Under the Lights: Unaka vs. Chuckey-Doak
Published 11:52 am Monday, August 26, 2024
Contributed photo by Jenny Jones Unaka’s Micah Gray (15) goes for a tackle on the opening kickoff.
Contributed photo by Jenny Jones Unaka’s Jake Taylor (55) and Brynin Repass (3) tackle a Chuckey-Doak Black Knights player for a loss.
Contributed photo by Jenny Jones Rangers’ Connor McKinney (7) turns to the outside for a gain.
Contributed photo by Jenny Jones Unaka’s Connor McKinney (7) stiff-arms a Chuckey-Doak Black Knights player to try and break for a long run.
Contributed photo by Jenny Jones Rangers’ Connor McKinney (7) scores a touchdown.
Contributed photo by Jenny Jones Unaka’s Brynin Repass (3) scans the field for an open receiver.
Contributed photo by Jenny Jones Micah Gray (15) makes a big play for the Rangers.
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By C.Y. Peters
AFTON – The Friday night lights shone brightly as Unaka High School’s Rangers squared off against the Chuckey-Doak Black Knights in a season opener that promised to be a thrilling display of high school football. The atmosphere was electric, with fans from both schools filling the stands, eager to witness the start of a new chapter in the rivalry. Both teams were prepared, determined, and ready to make their mark on the field. The three-and-a-half-hour game was one of the longest marathon games at Goddard Field. When the dust finally cleared, Chuckey-Doak had outscored Unaka 71-46.
With nine minutes left in the game, trailing by 13, Unaka had just scored, and it was fourth down and long for the Black Knights. If the Rangers held, momentum would have shifted, giving Unaka a chance to score, get within six points, and possibly win the game. Instead, a missed tackle allowed Chuckey-Doak to score and extend their lead. In total, 117 points were scored in the game. Unaka had 13 penalties, and the Black Knights were penalized 11 times, with both teams accruing over 100 yards in penalties.
A Tale of Two Quarterbacks
Unaka’s offense was led by standout quarterback Brynin Repass, who put on an unforgettable performance. Repass showcased his arm strength and accuracy, completing 17 of 35 passes for an impressive 325 yards. His playmaking ability was the cornerstone of the Rangers’ offensive strategy. “I just did what my teammates allowed me to do. It was good seeing our success on the offensive side; now we have to clean up our defense,” Repass added. Not to be outdone, backup quarterback Connor McKinney stepped in to complete a perfect 3 of 3 passes, adding 43 yards to the team’s total. The duo proved to be a formidable combination, keeping the Black Knights’ defense on their toes all night.
Aerial Assault: Repass Dominates the Sky
Brynin Repass accounted for all six of the Rangers’ touchdowns, a testament to his exceptional command of the game. He demonstrated not only his passing prowess but also his ability to navigate the field, adding 42 rushing yards on 17 carries and contributing a critical two-point conversion. His performance under pressure solidified his role as a leader on the field. Coach Bennett’s faith in his quarterback paid off as Repass delivered time and time again, creating opportunities and capitalizing on them.
The Big Playmaker: Connor McKinney Shines
Wide receiver Connor McKinney emerged as the breakout star of the game, reeling in seven catches for a staggering 196 yards and scoring three of Unaka’s touchdowns. His speed, agility, and ability to find gaps in the Chuckey-Doak defense made him a constant threat. McKinney’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, leaving the Black Knights scrambling to contain him. His contributions didn’t stop at catching passes; he also electrified the crowd with a 29-yard kickoff return and a 34-yard punt return, proving his versatility and athleticism.
A Team Effort in the Air
While McKinney’s heroics grabbed the headlines, the rest of the receiving corps played crucial roles in Unaka’s aerial attack. Ashton Fuller caught six passes for 72 yards, including a touchdown, showing his reliability as a target for Repass. Draedyn Freeman contributed with three catches for 50 yards, demonstrating his versatility both as a receiver and in the return game with seven kickoff returns totaling 143 yards. Micah Gray added four catches for 50 yards and scored two touchdowns, cementing his role as a key offensive player. This collective effort in the passing game showcased the depth and talent of Unaka’s receiving unit.
Defensive Struggles and Silver Linings
Despite the offensive fireworks, Unaka’s defense faced challenges against the Black Knights. Micah Gray and Brynin Repass led the defensive effort with eight and six tackles, respectively. Jake Taylor also made his presence felt on defense, contributing solidly. However, missed tackles plagued the Rangers throughout the game, leading to significant yardage and scoring opportunities for Chuckey-Doak. Coach Bennett highlighted the need for improved tackling, as missed opportunities resulted in 361 extra yards and six touchdowns for the Black Knights. “Our effort put us in a position to make plays, we just didn’t get them finished,” Bennett remarked, pointing out the areas for growth in the coming weeks.
Special Teams and Punting Game
Special teams played a pivotal role in maintaining field position and momentum throughout the game. Brynin Repass handled punting duties, averaging over 32 yards per punt on four attempts, helping to keep the Black Knights at bay. The return game was another highlight, with Freeman, McKinney, and Repass all contributing significant returns. These efforts provided Unaka with advantageous field position on several drives, a critical factor in their offensive success.
Coach Bennett’s Reflections
After the game, Coach O’Brien Bennett expressed both pride and determination. He praised his team’s attitude and effort, emphasizing the importance of these qualities over perfect execution. “Our kids played their hearts out. I’ll take attitude and effort every day,” Bennett said. He acknowledged the impressive passing game led by Repass and the standout performances of the receiving unit but stressed the need for improvement in tackling and run game execution. With two weeks before their next game against Twin Springs, Bennett and his coaching staff plan to focus heavily on defensive fundamentals and finding ways to spark the running game.
Looking Ahead: Building on a Strong Foundation
Despite the challenges faced in their opener, Unaka’s performance against Chuckey-Doak laid a solid foundation for the season ahead. The offensive display, highlighted by Repass’s leadership and McKinney’s playmaking ability, showed the potential for a high-powered attack. The defense, while needing refinement, demonstrated a willingness to compete and a commitment to improvement. With time to address these issues, the Rangers are poised to bounce back stronger and more cohesive, ready to take on the next challenge. As Coach Bennett noted, when attitude and effort are present, execution soon follows. The Unaka Rangers are determined to prove that they have the heart, talent, and resilience to succeed. Unaka is off this week and will travel to Twin Springs, Virginia, on Sept. 6.
Scoring
CD Hayden Roper, 56-yard run, 10:41 in first quarter (Billy Hahnlan kick), 7-0
CD Dominique Atchinson, 34-yard pass (Billy Hahnlan kick), 14-0
Unaka Connor McKinney, 24-yard pass from Repass (Repass PAT), 14-8
CD Kipton Ball, 48-yard pass (Billy Hahnlan kick), 21-8
Unaka Connor McKinney, 76-yard pass from Repass (Repass PAT), 21-16
Second Quarter:
CD Dominique Atchinson, 38-yard run (Billy Hahnlan kick), 28-16
Unaka Micah Gray, 32-yard pass from Repass (Repass PAT), 28-22
CD Hayden Roper, 63-yard run (Billy Hahnlan kick), 35-22
CD Hayden Roper, 34-yard run (Billy Hahnlan kick), 42-22
CD Billy Hahnlan, field goal, 45-22
Third Quarter:
Unaka Safety, 42-24
Unaka Connor McKinney, 46-yard pass from Repass (Repass PAT), 45-32
CD Hayden Roper, 57-yard run (Billy Hahnlan kick), 52-32
Unaka Ashton Fuller, 12-yard pass from Repass (PAT failed), 52-38
Fourth Quarter:
CD Hayden Roper, 49-yard run (Billy Hahnlan kick), 59-38
Unaka Draedyn Freeman, 1-yard run (Repass PAT), 59-46
CD Dominque Atchinson, 30-yard run (PAT failed), 65-46
CD Marcus Britt, 64-yard run (Billy Hahnlan kick), 71-46
