Unaka falls to Twin Springs
Published 7:07 am Monday, September 4, 2023
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Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Rangers Conner McKinney (7) slips a would be Twin Springs tackler in the secondary and rips off his second of two 31-yard runs late in the first quarter.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Rangers Brynin Repass (3) and Samuel Freeman (5) wrap up Twin Spring’s Julian Pascual (12) behind the line of scrimmage on the opening play of the first quarter.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
Unaka’s Isaiah White (4) makes a touchdown-saving open field tackle on the Titans Colton Kilgore (2) on an end around early in the first quarter.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Ranger defense meets Twin Spring’s quarterback Abel Dingus (5) in the backfield for a team sack mid-way through the first quarter.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Rangers Isaiah White (4) and Jacob Taylor (55) wrap up Twin Spring’s Abel Dingus (5) for a five-yard loss on a quarterback keeper play in the first quarter.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
Unaka’s Jaycob Nidiffer (1) shoves the Titans Colton Kilgore (2) out of bounds after a 15-yard catch for a first down mid-way through the first quarter.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Titans Chase Daugherty (67) is flagged for the horse collar tackle of Unaka’s Conner McKinney (7) late in the first quarter. The penalty nullified a safety on the play.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Rangers Conner McKinney (7) rips off his first of two thirty-plus yards runs late in the first quarter.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Rangers Samuel Freeman (5) and Jacob Wilson (65) coral Twin Spring’s Abel Dingus (5) for a seven-yard loss late in the second quarter.
Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Titans Andrew Myers (7) delivers the hit of the night when he levels Unaka’s Conner McKinney (7), forcing a fumble on a punt return late in the first half.
STAR CORRESPONDENT
The Unaka Rangers fell to 0-2 overall with a non-conference tilt with Twin Springs (Va.) 42-0 at Goddard Field. The Rangers first four plays were penalized as they moved backward from the 23-yard line to the three-yard line, where they lost a fumble.
QB Brynin Repass was injured on a punt play early and Connor McKinney took over at the position and rushed for 92 yards on 13 carries. AJ Greenless rushed for 56 yards for Unaka.
First Quarter – Unaka’s defense holds early
Twin Springs took the opening kickoff and held the ball most of the first period as the Titans drove from the Unaka 17-yard line where Repass sacked quarterback Abel Dingus and Unaka took over on downs.
The Rangers could not move offensively with all the penalties, but got the ball back on a fumble recovery. Unaka was once again hapless offensively and was forced to punt. This time the Titans were able to move the ball effectively following a roughing the passer penalty on Unaka.
Colten Kilgore then took off on a 43-yard touchdown run for a 6-0 Titans lead.
Second Quarter – The wheels fall off for the Rangers
The Rangers opened the second period with a first down to the 40-yard line after a 34-yard run from Connor McKinney but on second and six, a motion penalty killed the drive and Twin Springs took over.
Once again, the Rangers defense stood tall, forcing a punt but they fumbled once again and Twin Springs capitalized with a two-play drive capped off by a 53-yard pass from Dingus to Kilgore and Julian Pascual ran in the two-pointer for a 14-0 Titans advantage.
McKinney was picked off by safety Thomas Calhoun after Unaka drove to the Twin Springs 44-yard line and the Titans capitalized with Kilgore scoring on a 37-yard pass from Dingus and kicker Andrew Myers knocked home the PAT for a 21-0 lead for the Titans.
Unaka lost the third fumble of the half as the center snap went over McKinney’s head and defensive lineman Chase Daugherty scored on a 14-yard fumble recovery as the Titans now owned a comfortable 28-0 halftime lead.
“Penalties and big plays on defense are a recipe for disaster,” Rangers head coach O’Brien Bennett said. “We knew coming in that they are an explosive team and that we would have to play well to win and we didn’t. We are a young football team that is trying to grow and get better. We schedule teams like this because we know that will help us grow.”
Second half – Kilgore show continues
Kilgore continued his stellar game with another long scoring play in the third period as he took off on a 55-yard run and Seth Pendergrass capped off the scoring with a 12-yard run. Kilgore finished with 147 rushing yards on eight carries.
Twin Springs 42-0
Twin Springs 6 22 7 7 – 42
Unaka 0 0 0 0 – 0
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
T – Kilgore 43 run (kick failed) 1:59
Second Quarter
T – Kilgore 53 pass from Dingus (Pascual run) 8:59
T – Kilgore 37 pass from Dingus (Myers kick) 1:22
T – Daugherty 14 fumble return (Myers kick) 1:09
Third Quarter
T – Kilgore 55 run (Myers kick) 5:30
Fourth Quarter
T – Pendergrass 12 run (Myers kick) 6:44
