Unaka was unable to keep their season alive on Friday night.
The Rangers dropped a 63-16 decision to Greenback in the first round of the 2020 Class A playoffs on Stoney Creek.
With the loss, Unaka finishes the season with a 3-5 mark, while Greenback will advance to take on Coalfield in next week’s second round.
In the first home playoff game since 2004, the Rangers were unable to overcome a strong Greenback offensive attack.
The Cherokees opened the scoring on the opening drive with a short touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
Unaka pushed the ball to the 50 on the ensuing drive but was forced to punt on their first offensive series of the night.
After Greenback pushed the lead to 14-0, the Rangers continued to battle moving inside Greenback territory. However, the drive stalled out as the Rangers trailed 14-0 after a complete quarter of play.
The Cherokees got on the board in the opening minute of the second quarter and busted things open for a bit by reeling off 35 second-quarter points to take a 49-0 lead into the half.
Unaka continued to battle in the second half.
After Greenback added to their lead, the Rangers got onto the board just past the midpoint of the third quarter as Landon Ramsey connected with Devin Ramsey for a 60-yard touchdown. The duo connected on the two-point conversion as well.
In the fourth quarter, Nathaniel Oaks recovered a Greenback fumble to spark the UHS defense, but the Rangers were unable to capitalize on the turnover.
Later in the quarter, Ramsey and Ramsey connected for a 50-yard touchdown for the Rangers’ second score of the night.
Daniel Shearl caught the two-point conversion pass from L. Ramsey to account for all Unaka scoring.
