The Unaka football team came up short on the road.
The Rangers dropped a 54-28 decision to nonconference foe Claiborne on Friday evening. With the loss, UHS falls to 1-3 on the season.
After the Bulldogs opened the scoring early in the first quarter, the Rangers got on the board as Daniel Shearl hit Devin Ramsey for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Claiborne added another score to take a 13-6 into the second quarter, and the Bulldogs controlled the second quarter as they pushed the lead to 33-6 at the half.
The Rangers, however, continued to battle.
Landon Ramsey hit D. Ramsey for a 66-yard touchdown to get Unaka back on the board, and L. Ramsey added the conversion to cut into the Bulldog lead.
Later in the quarter, Harley Berry received a Claiborne fumble, but the Rangers were unable to convert on the opportunity as the Bulldogs held a 47-14 advantage after three quarters of play.
Logan Benway found the end zone for the Rangers with a two-yard touchdown, while Drew Smith caught an L. Ramsey pass for a 31-yard touchdown. Smith added the conversion to cap the scoring.
Unaka returns to action next Friday with a trip to Jellico to open up Region 1-A play.
