Rangers dealt a heartbreaking loss to Jellico 21-0
Published 10:30 pm Friday, September 15, 2023
- Contributed Photo/Jenny Jones Connor McKinney (7) follows his blockers for a quarterback run to the outside.
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BY C.Y. Peters
The Unaka Rangers were facing a daunting challenge. Their starting quarterback, Bryinn Repass, had been sidelined by an injury last week before the crucial conference game against the formidable Jellico Blue Devils. Without their leader, the Rangers knew they had an uphill battle ahead of them.
The game kicked off with a sense of anticipation and anxiety in the air. Unaka’s defense gave their all, but with 7 minutes and 47 seconds into the first quarter, the Blue Devils broke through, scoring the first touchdown of the game. The Rangers were determined to bounce back, but fate had other plans.
With just 29 seconds left in the first half, Jellico struck again, extending their lead to 14-0. The Rangers, known for their resilience, were shaken but not defeated. They regrouped during halftime, determined to make a comeback and keep their conference title hopes alive.
The third quarter saw Unaka’s defense step up, holding the Blue Devils at bay. The Rangers fought valiantly, refusing to surrender. However, the clock was ticking, and time was not on their side and Unaka just couldn’t find the endzone.
As the fourth quarter began, the Rangers still trailed by 14 points. Hope was dwindling, and the task at hand seemed insurmountable. With 10 minutes and 10 seconds left in the game, Jellico delivered the final blow, scoring another touchdown and sealing their victory with a 21-0 lead.
The Rangers’ dreams of a conference title were now hanging by a thread. Their final three conference games are on the road. Next Friday, Unaka would play host to Happy Valley in a non-conference game.
