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By C.Y. Peters

Unaka’s football team made the long journey to Virginia to face Thomas Walker, but the road trip left their legs sluggish as the game began. The hosting Pioneers took advantage, storming to a 33-0 lead in the first half, leaving the Rangers struggling to find their footing. With the blood finally circulating after halftime, Unaka came alive in the third quarter.

Connor McKinney provided a spark for the Rangers, breaking free for a 36-yard touchdown run to put Unaka on the board. Despite the score standing at 40-8, Unaka refused to give up. Late in the third quarter, McKinney connected with Micah Gray on a well-timed pass, further cutting into Thomas Walker’s lead. The Rangers’ confidence grew as they battled hard, determined to close the gap.

In the fourth quarter, Unaka managed to score again, narrowing the deficit even further. Though their rally fell short, with the final score standing at 40-24, the Rangers showed heart and resilience after a challenging start. They hope to carry this momentum into their next game.

With this Friday’s game against North Greene on home turf, Unaka will be looking to shake off their road woes and come out strong from the start.