It was a thriller on Stoney Creek on Friday night. However, Unaka was unable to complete a furious comeback.
The Rangers rallied from a 16-point deficit to pull within two points but dropped a 30-28 decision to Region 1-A foe Hancock County in the home opener.
Unaka found themselves in an early hole as Hancock took an 8-0 lead late in the first quarter. The Rangers, however, battled back quickly as John Boy Ramsey hit Blake Isaacs for an 11-yard touchdown. After the conversion attempt failed, Unaka trailed 8-6 after a quarter of play.
Hancock extended the lead with a score early in the second, but Ramsey hit Isaacs in stride for a 46-yard touchdown pass. Hancock County, however, pushed the lead back out to 24-14 at the half.
The Indians extended the lead late in the final quarter off a one-yard run to take a 30 advantage into the final 12 minutes. Unaka saw Garrett Stiltner score on a short touchdown run, and the two-point conversion was good as Roby Bach caught a pass from Will Sexton.
That pulled Unaka within eight points, and the Rangers weren’t finished.
UHS converted a fourth down with a touchdown as Reid Taylor hit Devon Jarrett for a 58-yard halfback pass with just under minute to play. The Rangers, however, were unable to tack on the conversion to tie the game or recover the onside kick.
Unaka is set to host Midway next Friday night.
