It was a back-and-forth battle on Stoney Creek on Friday night. Unfortunately, Unaka ended up on the wrong side at the end.
The Rangers were unable to rally back late in a 44-34 loss to Region 1-A foe Jellico at Goddard Field.
With the loss, Unaka falls to 1-3 overall on the season.
The Rangers struck quick in the opening quarter.
John Ramsey hit Devon Jarrett for a 37-yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead. Jellico, however, answered with a short rushing touchdown on the ensuing drive to even things up. Ramsey and the Rangers jumped back in front as Jarrett caught his second touchdown of the night from Ramsey – this one from 69 yards out to give UHS a12-6 lead.
After Unaka maintained a 12-6 advantage going to the second quarter, the Blue Devils reeled off two scores to take a 20-6 lead. Ramsey scored his third touchdown of the night midway through the quarter on a 1-yard touchdown, and Logan Benway tied the game at 20-20 with the conversion. Jellico scored late in the quarter to take a 26-20 lead into the half.
In the third quarter, Jellico pushed the lead to 12 points in the opening minutes. Benway opened the second half scoring for Unaka with an 11-yard rushing touchdown as the Rangers closed the gap back to six points.
On the ensuing kick, the Blue Devil defender found a seam and raced 80-yards for a touchdown to answer the touchdown and give Jellico a 38-26 advantage going to the fourth.
After a quick Jellico score to open the fourth, Ramsey found Benway for a four-yard touchdown to trim the UHS deficit and Benway added the conversion. The Rangers looked to continue the rally as Daniel Shearl interceded a Jellico pass, but UHS was unable to close the gap any further.
Ramsey finished the game 13-of-20 for 295 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns. Jarrett had eight catches for 221 yards.
The Rangers are set to go back on the road next Friday with a trip to Sullivan North.
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