Chuckey-Doak returns back home for senior night as the Black Knights welcome Region 1-3A counterpart Unicoi County to Lower Afton on Friday night.
Last year’s game was an instant classic in Gentry Stadium. The Blue Devils held on to a 47-45 win in Erwin last season in a game that saw Chuckey-Doak’s Brasen Murvin rush for a then school-record 335 yards in the loss. It always seems to be a fun game when these two get together. Flashback two years ago to when the Black Knights overcame a 13-0 halftime deficit to win 34-20 and set themselves up for one of only three region titles in program history.
This year’s task seems tall with the Blue Devils sitting at No. 8 in this week’s TSWA Class 3A Poll. They are currently 6-1 (2-1) with their only loss to Gatlinburg-Pittman.
Coach Drew Rice’s team presents an offensive lineup that is accustomed to scoring in bunches with four games of over 40 points this season. They average 38 points-per-game and have hit that 40-point mark in each of their last four wins. They present a solid defense to coincide with their high-scoring offense that only allows 18 points-per-game up to this point in the year.
“I don’t think it’s going to be anything drastically different on either side of the ball. They’re doing a little bit of different stuff scheme wise this year, but nothing major. They’re a very-talented bunch with a lot of really talented players over there. Quarterback, got a couple receivers, they’re good up front so it’ll be a good challenge,” Chuckey-Doak Head Coach Billy Kaylor explained.
The Black Knights are looking to get back on track after losing six-straight and would love nothing more than to play spoiler to Unicoi’s chance at a region championship. The Blue Devils still have the opportunity to force a three-way tie for the number one spot if they can knock off current leader Johnson County. With a loss to Chuckey-Doak, all that is lost though.
They may be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs in November, but the boys in black and gold still have the opportunity to make some noise with a win on Friday. Their offense has slowed down since scoring 71 points in their season-opening win. They average 20 points-per-game now. Their defense is allowing 47 points-per-game seven games in.
Chuckey-Doak is coming off their bye week rested and prepared for Friday night after two weeks of preparation.
“We just got to continue to improve. We’re seeing some improvement. It’s just sometimes hard to see the forest through the trees. We had a good week last week and if we have a good week of practice, and continue to improve, play better on the line of scrimmage, be a little more consistent offensively, produce some positive yardage, get out of our own way, and give ourselves a chance to win,” Coach Kaylor stated.
Senior night festivities will begin before Friday nights expected 7:00 kickoff.
