Heart and Hustle: Unaka battles Twin Springs despite costly errors
Published 11:27 am Monday, September 9, 2024
Contributed Photos/Jenny Jones Unaka’s Connor McKinney (7) looks downfield to make a throw.
Contributed Photos/Jenny Jones Brynin Repass (3) catches a pass for a big gain for the Rangers.
Contributed Photos/Jenny Jones Unaka’s Brynin Repass (3) rolls out, keeping his eyes downfield for an open receiver.
Contributed Photos/Jenny Jones Unaka’s defense made several key stops and played with intensity throughout the game.
Contributed Photos/Jenny Jones Draedyn Freeman (2) tries to break to the outside for a big gain for the Rangers.
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By C.Y. Peters
In an intense football matchup between the Unaka Rangers and Twin Springs Titans, the Rangers displayed tremendous grit but fell short, plagued by costly mental errors that ultimately decided the game. Despite these setbacks, Unaka showed noticeable improvement on both sides of the ball, with standout performances from Connor McKinney and an improved defense. Penalties plagued both teams—Twin Springs was penalized 19 times for 150 yards, and Unaka 18 times for 141 yards.
Early Struggles Set the Tone
Unaka’s offense, led by quarterbacks Brynin Repass and McKinney, struggled early to find a rhythm, largely due to poor field position throughout the night. From the outset, Twin Springs’ defense forced Unaka into difficult situations. Repass completed 7 of 11 passes for 91 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. McKinney, in his dual-threat role, completed 5 of 9 passes for 43 yards but threw two costly interceptions.
The turnover woes began early for Unaka, disrupting any offensive momentum. “We had to overcome poor starting field position all night and turned the ball over five times,” said Coach Bennett. “Neither of which is a recipe for success.”
Despite these struggles, the Rangers’ defense kept them within striking distance. Micah Gray, Draedyn Freeman, and Ethan Henderson made critical plays to keep Twin Springs from breaking the game open in the first half. Freeman, in particular, recorded six solo tackles, an assist, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
Mental Errors and Explosive Plays
The game was defined by missed assignments and mental lapses that Twin Springs capitalized on. Their quarterback took full advantage, delivering three back-breaking touchdown runs of 85, 86, and 45 yards, each exposing a breakdown in Unaka’s defense. “Unfortunately, against an option team, all it takes is one missed assignment to give up an explosive play,” Bennett said. “We gave up three explosive touchdowns to the quarterback, which cost us the ability to play a competitive game in the fourth quarter.”
While these long scores shifted momentum, the effort from the defense was evident, with players like Gray, Freeman, and Henderson leading the charge. Henderson tallied eight solo tackles, two assists, and recovered a fumble. Gray recorded eight solo tackles, two assists, and a fumble recovery.
McKinney’s Spark
Despite the challenges, Connor McKinney was a bright spot for the Rangers, providing a much-needed spark. He finished with seven rushes for 98 yards, including several key runs that kept drives alive. His most electrifying moment came on a 79-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, showcasing his speed and vision.
As a receiver, McKinney hauled in six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. “Connor McKinney had a huge night making explosive plays in every facet of the game,” said Bennett.
Flashes of Offensive Promise
Unaka’s offense showed flashes of potential, especially in their passing game. Repass connected with McKinney for a 79-yard touchdown pass that briefly closed the gap. Repass also spread the ball to four different receivers. Micah Gray contributed four catches for 39 yards, including a crucial two-point conversion.
However, five turnovers, including three interceptions and two fumbles, proved costly. “Offensively, we turned the ball over five times, and that’s just something you can’t do and expect to win,” Bennett noted.
Running back Ethan Henderson added five rushes for 12 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, but the ground game struggled to gain consistent yardage.
Defensive Standouts
On defense, Unaka made several key stops and played with intensity. Freeman recorded two tackles for loss and forced a fumble. Zach Tinsley made a crucial tackle for loss, and Caleb Britt finished with three solo tackles and a stop behind the line of scrimmage.
Looking Ahead
Though the Rangers came up short, there are plenty of positives to build on as they move forward. Coach Bennett emphasized the team’s defensive improvements and standout performances. “We definitely showed a lot of improvement this week, but still have a long way to go before we’re ready to compete with a very talented Cosby team next week,” he said.
Unaka travels to Cosby this Friday night.
