Homecoming heartbreak at Goddard Field: Unaka falls short against Jellico
Published 11:37 am Monday, September 23, 2024
Jenny Jones/Star Correspondent Connor McKinney (7) cuts back to the middle of the field for a big gain for the Rangers.
Jenny Jones/Star Correspondent Unaka’s Connor McKinney (7) tries to break through a group of Blue Devils.
Jenny Jones/Star Correspondent Unaka’s Draedyn Freeman (2) makes the catch.
Jenny Jones/Star Correspondent Connor McKinney (7) breaks a tackle for a gain for the Rangers.
Jenny Jones/Star Correspondent Unaka’s Ben Shutko (11) and Austin Tinsley (45) tackle a Blue Devil for a loss.
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BY C.Y. PETERS
STAR CORRESPONDENT
It was a cool, crisp evening at Goddard Field as the Unaka Rangers faced off against the Jellico Blue Devils on homecoming night. At halftime, Lauren Lund was crowned Homecoming Queen, marking a joyful celebration amidst the anticipation of the football contest. But despite the festivities, the Unaka Rangers found themselves in a hard-fought battle on the field, ultimately falling short to Jellico, 42-24, in a thrilling but heartbreaking loss.
Unaka’s quarterback, Connor McKinney, gave a performance for the ages, doing everything in his power to keep his team in the fight. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 178 yards, including two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions. He also carried the ball 21 times for 128 yards and another touchdown, continuing to demonstrate his ability to lead the offense both through the air and on the ground. McKinney was truly a one-man wrecking crew, battling until the final whistle. His determination was evident with every play, as he continued to make magic happen despite constant pressure from the Jellico defense.
After two Blue Devil scores, Unaka struck, with McKinney connecting with standout receiver Micah Gray for a 35-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Gray, who was everywhere on the field offensively and defensively, was McKinney’s go-to target all night. Gray finished the game with nine receptions for 125 yards, including a key 2-point conversion that followed his touchdown. His speed and athleticism allowed him to beat defenders in coverage and make plays after the catch, keeping the Rangers’ offense moving.
However, Jellico responded quickly, taking advantage of some defensive lapses by the Rangers. Unaka, plagued by missed assignments and mental mistakes, struggled to contain Jellico’s ground attack. Coach O’Brien Bennett noted afterward that while his team’s effort was much improved compared to the previous week, they had given Jellico “a few extra opportunities with mental mistakes and busted assignments,” which ultimately tipped the scales in favor of their opponents.
As halftime approached, the mood in the stands lightened briefly for the crowning of Lauren Lund as Homecoming Queen. She shone brightly on the field, drawing cheers from the community, and provided a moment of celebration and unity. It was a welcome pause in the intensity of the game, as both teams prepared to dig in for the second half.
After the halftime festivities, the Rangers came out with renewed energy. In the third quarter, an onside kick gave Jellico the ball, and in two plays they put six more points on the board. Unaka’s McKinney hit Ashton Fuller for a 46-yard touchdown, followed by another successful 2-point conversion. Fuller ended the game with four catches for 46 yards, adding to the offensive firepower that kept Unaka within striking distance throughout the night.
Despite the offensive heroics, turnovers and missed tackles continued to haunt the Rangers. McKinney threw two interceptions that shifted momentum in Jellico’s favor at critical moments, and the defense struggled to contain the Blue Devils’ ground game. Though the Rangers had chances to turn the game around, they were unable to capitalize on key opportunities.
Coach Bennett was candid in his post-game comments. “Much better effort this week, but we still came up short,” he said. “Connor McKinney was spectacular, and Micah Gray was all over the field offensively and defensively. We had some opportunities that we were unable to take advantage of, and gave them a few extra opportunities with mental mistakes. Those were the differences in the game.”
Looking ahead, Coach Bennett acknowledged the significant challenge facing the Rangers in their next game against Happy Valley. “We have an extremely tough matchup this week with a Happy Valley team that is going to run right at us. We’ve struggled against the run this year, so we’ll have to show major improvement in that facet of the game to even be competitive.”
With a resilient attitude, the Rangers are determined to regroup and continue building on their progress. Bennett emphasized the importance of limiting big plays and staying disciplined on both sides of the ball. “This is a non-region game, but it means a lot to the community, so we’ll do everything we can to make them proud and prove that we’re made of some pretty good stuff ourselves.”
For Unaka, the season continues, with lessons learned and the determination to rise stronger in the weeks to come.
Scores:
Jellico 8-0, 5:29 in second
Jellico 16-0, 1:50 in second
Unaka 16-8, 0:09 in second
Jellico 24-8, 10:58 in third
Unaka 24-16, 6:25 in third
Jellico 30-16, 0:48 in third
Jellico 36-16, 6:16 in fourth
Unaka 36-24, 4:17 in fourth
Jellico 42-24, 2:37 in fourth
