When the Cyclones Jr. Peewee Black hit the field Saturday, they meant business as they defeated Bristol’s Vikings Maroon 34-8 to win the Jr. Peewees Championship inside of Citizens Bank Stadium.
The win was special in more ways than one.
For coach Travis Holly, who coached the team for nine years, it was his last game with the Cyclones, before moving from the area with his family.
“This really means a lot to me,” said Holly, who was still drying off after getting a cooler of water dumped on his head. “These kids are the future of Cyclone football.”
The win also capped off a season in which the Cyclones were undefeated, going 10-0.
“I am really proud of these kids,” Holly said. “There are a lot of good athletes. All of our ten-year-olds are going up to T.A. Dugger. They are definitely going to bring a lot of talent with them.”
Cade Russell led the Cyclones, recording 198 yards of rushing on 12 carries, with four touchdowns. One of those TDs was a 35-yard pick six that put his team up 14-0 going into halftime.
“Cade had a phenomenal day,” Holly said. “I mean, you can’t say enough about his ability.”
The Cyclones got on the board in the first quarter, after driving from their own 41 to the Vikings’ 10-yard line in 12 plays. On first and 10 from the 10, Russell scrambled into the endzone, and with the two-point conversion good, the Cyclones grabbed an early 8-0 lead. In the second half, Russell did it again during the Cyclones’ second play of their first drive. On second and ten, Russell sped to the endzone from 47 yards out to give the Cyclones a 20-0 lead.
To close out the third quarter, Cyclones’ Landon Ramsey scooted into paydirt from 41 yards out to put his team up 26-0, heading into the fourth quarter.
The Vikings struck first in the final period, with Michalon Skinner punching in from two yards out.
The final score of the game came from Russell, who took returned a kick-off 50 yards to give the Cyclones their winning score of 34-8.
Along with the Jr. Peewee Championship, the Cyclones also grabbed first place in the Jr. Peewee West Division this season.