It was an instant classic on Warrior Hill on Friday night.
Happy Valley’s Gabe McDougald scored on a three-yard run with 41 seconds remaining, and then the Warriors held on in the closing seconds to take a 26-23 rivalry win over Unicoi County. With the win, Happy Valley improved to 5-0 on the season.
The Warriors struck first as McDougald scored on a two-yard run four minutes into the game, and AJ Rangel added the extra point as HV took a 7-0 lead.
Unicoi countered early in the second quarter as Kolby Jones scored on a short run, as the game was tied at 7-7.
Keelin Releford answered for HV as the running back broke free for a 36-yard score. The Rangel extra point was good as the Warriors held a 14-7 lead at the half.
After a scoreless third quarter, the teams traded shots in the final 12 minutes.
The Blue Devils took their first lead of the night two minutes into the fourth as Jones scored on a three-yard run and UC added the two-point conversion.
Happy Valley battled back as Releford broke free for a 35-yard touchdown to regain the lead. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful as the Warriors took a 20-15 lead with 8:42 to play.
Unicoi’s Blaze Rice found the endzone from five yards out as UC pulled back in front with 6:47 left to play. Cade Peterson caught a Jones pass for the two-point conversion as Unicoi took a 23-20 advantage.
Happy Valley, however, didn’t go quietly.
After the teams traded possessions, HV mounted a last-minute drive that ended in the endzone as McDougald scored with 41 seconds left.
Unicoi was able to get within striking distance, but the Warrior defense held strong to secure the win.
Releford had 10 carries for 151 yards, while Tyler Bailey had five carries for 66 yards. McDougald added 41 yards on eight carries.
Rice led Unicoi with 102 yards on 22 carries.
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