Unaka drops heartbreaker at Hancock

The Unaka football team was unable to complete a rally on Friday night.

The Rangers dropped a heartbreaking 16-14 decision to Hancock County in Sneedville. With the loss, Unaka falls to 1-1 on the year.

UHS struck first.
John Boy Ramsey found Devon Jarrett for a 47-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful as Unaka took a 6-0 lead into the second quarter.

Early in the second quarter, the Indians answered with a short rushing touchdown. The ensuing two-point conversion gave Hancock an 8-6 advantage,
Unaka moved the ball inside the Hancock 20, but was unable to convert a 4th down. Neither team was able to get back in scoring position before the half as Unaka trailed 8-6 at the break.

Hancock pushed the lead to 16-6 midway through the third quarter. Late in the quarter, Reid Taylor jumped on a fumble to set Unaka up at midfield, but they were unable to convert a fourth down as they trailed 16-6 going to the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, Bryson Street recovered a Hancock fumble to stop an Indian drive. The Rangers moved the ball deep into Hancock territory, but was unable to keep the drive alive.

Tristen Storie came up big for the Ranger defense with a fumble recovery. That set up a two-yard touchdown from Ramsey, and Street added the conversion to close the gap to two points.

Unaka, however, was unable to get the ball back before time expired.

The Rangers will hit the road next week with a trip to Midway.