Wynn, strong Crockett rushing attack down Unicoi on opening night

JONESBOROUGH — David Crockett senior quarterback A.J. Wynn showcased his dual-threat ability to start the season on Friday night. The signal caller ran for 141 yards and two scores to go with 73 passing yards as the Pioneers took their opening night matchup 28-12 over Unicoi County. "I've just got to give it to my linemen," Wynn said. "I have a deal. If we win and I don't get touched on a pass play in the backfield, we have pancakes at my house. Shout out to my mom and my linemen. I couldn't do anything without them." Late into the fourth quarter, Crockett (1-0) was nursing a two-point lead and trying to bleed clock when faced with a second-and-long. Wynn found Braydon Stoots on a pop pass for 29 yards. He followed it up with a 31-yard touchdown run on the next play on an option to make it a two-possession game. It was a critical score after the Blue Devils (0-1) got a Nehemiah Campbell 30-yard rushing score on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it a 14-12 contest. After the second Wynn rushing score, the Pioneers defense came up with a turnover-on-downs to give the ball back to the strong rushing attack. Ezra Hoss then iced the game with a 17-yard score to make it a 16-point affair. Replacing the graduated Kolby Jones, new starting quarterback Gunner Peterson settled right into his new role on the Blue Devils' opening drive. Unicoi County went 75 yards in a dozen plays to open the year, with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Peterson to Avery Hatcher concluding the visitors' scoring march, though the extra point was blocked. David Crockett looked to answer on its first possession, going eight plays to the Blue Devil 35-yard line. However, the drive stalled, forcing a 52-yard field goal try that was no good. The Pioneer defense stood tall, though, forcing a Unicoi three-and-out, and the offense took advantage of good field position. It took Crockett just two plays to find pay dirt, as Wynn took a keeper 46 yards for a touchdown scamper to give the hosts the lead. Both defenses held strong the rest of the half, as a long trip down the field came up empty for Crockett late in the second quarter. Peterson nearly made the Pioneers pay, hitting Alex Laningham on a post route for a 58-yard chunk play deep into plus territory. But, David Crockett's defensive unit held strong to keep the contest at 7-6 going into the break. The stalemate continued into the third quarter, as the only score came from a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown by Marckis Carrier to make it an eight-point lead for the Pioneers. "We made a lot of plays in timely fashion tonight," Crockett head coach Hayden Chandley said. "It seemed like it was somebody different every time. Whether it was (Colton) Mullis getting a sack after a big play. Marckis with the pick-6. Christian Brady had multiple pass breakups on their sideline." The Blue Devils leaned on the pass game throughout the night, as Peterson went 23-of-46 through the air for 315 yards, a score and a pick. Up Next Unicoi County will host Northview Academy next Friday. David Crockett will travel to West Ridge. David Crockett 28, Unicoi County 12 UC&emsp;6&emsp;0&emsp;0&emsp;6&emsp;—&emsp;12 DC&emsp;0&emsp;7&emsp;7&emsp;14&emsp;—&emsp;28 First Quarter UC — Avery Hatcher 27-pass from Gunner Peterson (kick blocked) Second Quarter DC — A.J. Wynn 46-run (Ruben Ibarra-Flores kick) Third Quarter DC — Marckis Carrier 55-interception return (Ibarra-Flores kick) Fourth Quarter UC — Nehemiah Campbell 30-run (2pt failed) DC — Wynn 31-run (Ibarra-Flores kick) DC — Ezra Hoss 17-run (Ibarra-Flores kick)