When stats are misleading… The football game of 1968 – Unaka vs Elizabethton
Published 11:51 am Friday, June 26, 2020
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Photo Contributed Coach Lynn Goddard congratulating John Pansock after the Unaka game for winning the scoring title of 1968. As a junior, Pansock finished with 73 points.
Photo Contributed Ron Carver, Elizabethton's quarterback in 1968, recently came in from Florida to talk about all football games with Unaka's Ronnie Taylor.
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By looking at these stats, one would have expected a different outcome on
the score.
Unaka picked up 13 first downs in the game, Elizabethton 14. The Rangers
rushed for 286 yards holding the Cyclones to under 250 on the ground.
In passing, Unaka threw 13 times completing eight of them for 173 yards,
while Elizabethton only caught four passes for 131 yards.
The Rangers would only punt twice in the game but a 60-28 score
nulled all the stats for Unaka.
The game was played at Browns-Childress Stadium with less than 500 fans
turning out for the game which turned out to be an interesting exhibition
despite the lopsided score.
The game was played at Browns-Childress Stadium with less than 500 fans
turning out for the game which turned out to be an interesting exhibition
despite the lopsided score.
Both Lynn Goodard and John Hyatt emptied there benches during the game,
Goddard using many freshmen and sophomores.
Elizabethton’s record would go to 5-2-2 with John Pansock
scoring four touchdowns and Tommy Holly, Rex Parris, Dennis Fair, Ben
Stewart and Bubba Brooms each scoring one.
For the Rangers, Jackie Nave scored twice while Jeff Neece and Eddie
Smith scored one touchdown apiece.
scoring four touchdowns and Tommy Holly, Rex Parris, Dennis Fair, Ben
Stewart and Bubba Brooms each scoring one.
For the Rangers, Jackie Nave scored twice while Jeff Neece and Eddie
Smith scored one touchdown apiece.
Roger Brockwell and Gaylon Taylor added the extra points.
Pansock scored on the third play of the game from 15-yards out
after Unaka had lost the ball on a fumble.
Pansock scored on the third play of the game from 15-yards out
after Unaka had lost the ball on a fumble.
Two minutes later Pansock added a second score that was set up when
Holly intercepted a Ranger pass on the 35-yard line.
With 8:28 left in the first, the Cyclones led 14-0. Ed Alexander converted
on both PAT’s.
On their third possession quarterback Ronnie Carver hit Dennis Fair for a
touchdown after a 59-yard run by Larry Cochran.
The Rangers finally got on the board in the first with eight seconds left on
The Rangers finally got on the board in the first with eight seconds left on
an 87-yard scoring drive with Neece crashing over from the two.
Unaka hit quickly in the second on a 72-yard drive with Nave scoring from
the one.
The Cyclones answered with a four-play, 51-yard drive with Broome finishing
on an eleven-yard run.
The Cyclones answered with a four-play, 51-yard drive with Broome finishing
on an eleven-yard run.
Nave and Holly would score before the half as the Cyclones led 41-21 at the
break.
In the second half, Nave would add a score for Unaka and Pansock would
In the second half, Nave would add a score for Unaka and Pansock would
finish with an 82 yard run with only 1:19 left in the game.
Nave for Unaka finished with 189 yards rushing including a 62-yard run and a
38 and 37.
38 and 37.
Smith collected 48 yards. Pansock finished with 105 yards and Broome 56.
Ed Alexander, the Cyclones candidate for all-conference honors as a guard ran
two plays.
Despite the score, Unaka was best in running, passing, and passing statistics.
In the conference with Elizabethton was Morristown, Kingsport, Johnson City,
In the conference with Elizabethton was Morristown, Kingsport, Johnson City,
Greeneville, Bristol, and Erwin.
Unaka played with Happy Valley, Johnson County, Hampton, Cloudland,
Jonesboro and Boones Creek.
Although Happy Valley, Mountain City, and Cloudland all tied with seven
wins each. Cloudland accepted the Shrine Bowl game.
Although Happy Valley, Mountain City, and Cloudland all tied with seven
wins each. Cloudland accepted the Shrine Bowl game.
The Cyclones finished third behind Morristown (8-1) and Johnson City (7-0).
