Countdown to Kickoff: Unaka Rangers looking for a win in 2026
· Yahoo Sports
STONEY CREEK, Tenn. (WJHL) — On our latest stop of Countdown to Kickoff, we head to Stoney Creek, where the Unaka Rangers are eager to rebound from a tough stretch under head coach O’Brien Bennett. Much like a transition to brand new turf, the Rangers program has been under construction itself, amassing only three wins over the last three seasons and finishing winless last fall.
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Last year, TJ Parenteau was pressed into duty at quarterback, and Coach Bennett believes that baptism by fire will pay major dividends now. Because Unaka graduated only three seniors, the vast majority of this roster returns with invaluable varsity reps after learning critical lessons with every challenge faced last fall.
Coach Bennett emphasized that the priority was teaching a young squad how not to beat themselves, noting that when a high school team loses, By eliminating those errors, the foundation for winning gets built. The players are already feeling that shift in dynamic. Parenteau, now a senior playing both quarterback and linebacker, noted that team chemistry is significantly stronger than in recent years, which should translate to better fortune on the gridiron.
Senior wide receiver and corner Dylan Davison shared that the team channeled the disappointment of last season into motivation, converting that collective frustration into fuel during off-season preparations. Meanwhile, junior receiver and defensive back Asher Dunn highlighted the growth in the passing attack, pointing out that the roster has turned last year’s glaring inexperience into a full season of varsity confidence.
The Rangers will open their season on the road at Happy Valley on August 21st. Unaka fans will have to wait a little bit longer to see the squad in person on their new home turf, as their official home opener isn’t scheduled until September 4th.
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