Unaka Flag League sees two great contest Saturday morning
Published 12:02 am Tuesday, September 17, 2019
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Photo Contributed Draedyn Freeman drops back for a pass.
Photo Contributed Avery Harding attempts to escape from Maroon's Daniel Bowers.
Photo Contributed MJ Tisdale attempts to bring down Levi Buckalew.
Photo Contributed Ashton Fuller is pursued by Joey Sanches and Colton Otto.
Photo Contributed McKenzie Grindstaff running for some tough yards.
CONTRIBUTED
Football fans were treated to two close games on Saturday as the Unaka Flag League had a very competitive contest in each of their divisions.
In the 4-7 Age group, Rangers White defeated Rangers Maroon by a score of 30-28.
On the first drive, the Maroon defense seemed to be in control after a big stop for a loss by Bryson Bible, but Xander Tyler would break loose for the first of four touchdown runs he would have on the day.
Maroon would answer back on the next drive, a long Bible run was followed by quarterback Corbin Markland keeping the ball on a counter for a touchdown. McKenzie Grindstaff would add the conversion.
The second drive for White started and ended the same as the first. Bible came up with a big stop for loss for the maroon defense, only to have Tyler dart and weave his way to the endzone on a long run.
Tyler and Markland would again trade scores giving the White a 22-13 lead at the half.
Tyler would open the scoring in the second half with his final TD of the game.
White would mount a comeback on the ensuing drives as Grindstaff showed off her speed on a long touchdown run. Gage Rowland capped the scoring for the White taking a reverse all the way to the endzone.
The conversion was good, but the comeback would fall short as the White held on to win 30-28.
In the 8-11 age group, the White’s stifling defense would hold off the maroon offense for a 15-6 victory.
On the first drive, Maroon’s Levi Buckalew would end a long White drive by breaking up a fourth-down pass.
White’s defense would answer the call as Garen Gray came up with a big fourth-down stop of his own. After a long pass from Levi Fisher to Asher Tyler, Fisher would call his own number on a bootleg for the first score of the morning.
The White’s defense would again hold giving them a chance to add to their lead. Ashton Fuller and Fisher runs would take the White into the red zone, but Marroon’s defense, led by Daniel Bowers and Colton Otto, would stiffen forcing the White into a fourth down.
Fuller would convert the try into a touchdown on a run around the right edge. Garen Gray would add the conversion.
A safety on the ensuing possession would give the White the ball and MJ Tisdale would go to work taking a long run around the left side.
Bowers would again step up for the Maroon’s defense with a tackle for loss on a fourth-down attempt.
Otto and Bowers would go to work through the air, connecting on a long crossing route for the Maroon’s lone score of the morning against the stout White defense. The game would end as White took the victory in a defensive battle 15-6.
