Unaka Rangers are looking to duplicate last year’s season opener

Published 3:25 pm Tuesday, August 16, 2022

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BY CY Peters
Star Correspondent

Unaka Rangers kick off the 2022 season in a familiar fashion on Friday night with hopes of a similar outcome. In the opening game of 2021, Unaka faced North Greene and came away with a 42-0 win. This year that same season opener is against North Green and it’s at home. Although Unaka lost seven seniors last season, a player gets a little bigger, stronger, and smarter every year.
O’Brien Bennett has boys this year that have come of age. Landon Ramsey has been a quarterback for many years; he has a game plan, knows the game, and knows how to execute. Ramsey finished his Junior season as Max-preps leading passer in 1-A football with 2,140 yards (214 ypg) and 28 Total TDs while also averaging 37.2 yards per punt.
Returning is running back Jamol Blamo, who was close to making all-state last year. He’s a machine, strong, and reminds me of the great Chuck Forman. Jamol’s brother Joe-Z is playing this year and he’s a real athlete and the quickness that he has shown on the basketball court will help him on the football field. He will be a leader on the team for Coach Bennett this year and a big plus in filling Devin Ramsey’s shoes.
Ryan Peters, from the first time I saw this kid play ball at Hunter, I knew he was special, he could play ball and you could put him at any position and he would give you 110 percent. Brayden Powell won awards last year for his strength and ability to play the game. Marcus Shomaker is a
mountain; he’s 6’6, and around 260 pounds of power. Aidan Peterson plays tackle and defensive end, over 6′ and a little over 200 pounds.
The list goes on. The Creek is excited and ready for the kick-off of the 2022 season and Bennett’s Rangers are prepared to set new records on Goddard Field. The Rangers are coming together, with one mindset, to accomplish tremendous feats. Every player has their own
unique talents. Some are blessed with speed, some agility, others with strength. But the Rangers are ready; let the fun begin.
Grayson Collins will lead the Huskies at quarterback. They look like they will throw many passes this year with receivers Jake Duffy,
Colton Robbins and Freshman Thomas Darnell. The short pass game looks strong for North Green. Coach Tilson said short pass completions
of four or five yards make a quarterback real comfortable.

The game is set to kick off at 7:30 pm at Unaka High School.

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