Unicoi County moves closer to regional title goal

ERWIN — One step closer. That was the message from Unicoi County head coach Drew Rice after the Blue Devils cruised to a 42-7 Region 1-3A rout of Pigeon Forge on Friday night at Gentry Stadium. Unicoi County (5-1, 3-0) won its fifth straight game as the Blue Devils eyes their second region title in the last three seasons. "That is a great region win right there," Unicoi County senior quarterback Gunner Peterson said. "I think we have got two more region games coming up, one at home, one away, and after that that will be the deciding factor for regional champions, but that was a big step toward our goal." Peterson threw for three touchdowns and ran for one more as the Blue Devils built a 28-0 halftime lead, including a 21-0 advantage after one quarter. Avery Hatcher picked off a pass on Pigeon Forge's first possession and Peterson took advantage, connecting with Aidyn Evely for a 10-yard score. Evely followed with a 79-yard punt return, which led to a four-yard touchdown run for Blaze Rice, who continues to blaze through a big season for the Blue Devils. "He is a great athlete, probably one of the better running backs we have had through here," Peterson said. "It is awesome playing with him because it takes some pressure of me as a quarterback. It allows us to set up a run game, we set up the run game we set up the pass game. I think that is what is so special about our offense." Reid Bogart picked off an Andrew Lewis pass on the Tigers' next chance with the ball, and Evely caught a two-yard scoring pass from Peterson. "It is just good plays and great execution from the offense," said Evely, who was tackled four yards short of the end zone on the punt return. "I was wanting it, but that is all right. We still got in after that." Evely is one of several talented weapons for the Blue Devils, which took a 28-0 lead into the halftime break following a two-yard by Peterson with 1:02 on the clock. "It is a lot of fun because it puts defenses in a bind," Evely said. "They have to got to choose what they want, they can stop the run or they can stop the pass, but we will just do the other and take what they give us. Just execution, that is all it comes down to." Unicoi County, which scored on six of first seven possessions, was equally as stingy on defense. Daven Thompson added a fumble recovery and Charlie Hughes had an interception, while Nehemiah Campbell and Carter Simmons combined to limit the Tigers to seven points that came in the final four minutes of the game on a 19-yard run by Donterrius Russell. Pigeon Forge (0-5, 0-2) has lost five games by a combined 187-49. "We really prepared this week in practice," said Evely, of the Blue Devils' defensive effort after allowing at least 20 points in each of the previous five games. "Coaches had us ready to play and we came out and executed the game plan." The Blue Devils scored twice in the third quarter on a one-yard run by Campbell and a 37-yard pass from Peterson to Broox Bennett. Benny Acevedo connected on all six of his extra point conversion kicks. That performance came after a hard-fought win last week over rival Happy Valley that ended the Warriors' 17-game regular season win streak. Yet, there was no letdown from the Blue Devils. "We knew this was a big game for what we are working for a region championship so we had to come out for that one," Evely said. "One step closer to the region championship. We are trying to get it back. Unicoi County will be off next week before traveling to Grainger on Oct. 9, with their eyes taking another closer to that region goal. They certainly have the weapons on offense to make it happen. "It is wonderful. When you have that many options it is very hard for the defense to read," Peterson said. "It is good to know I have options in the back of my mind. If we are going four-receiver set I have got four guys I can count on that are tremendous athletes, tremendous receivers. "I have two running backs that can catch the ball great and I have about four other guys that are on the sideline that I know can go in and catch the ball. It is really good, I think that is just the kind of program we have. We have a lot of depth and it helps me out and it helps the team a lot." Pigeon Forge 0 0 0 7 — 7 Unicoi County 21 7 14 0 — 42 First Quarter UC—Aidyn Evely 10 pass from Gunner Peterson (Benny Acevedo kick) 8:36 UC—Blaze Rice 4 run (Acevedo kick) 5:54 UC—Evely 4 pass from Peterson (Acevedo kick) 1:02 Second Quarter UC—Peterson 1 run (Acevedo kick) 6:56 Third Quarter UC—Nehemiah Campbell 1 run (Acevedo kick) 8:27 UC—Broox Bennett 37 pass from Peterson (Acevedo kick) 1:30 Fourth Quarter PF—Donterrius Russell 19 run (Arturo Mendez kick) 4:20