After a huge win over Science Hill Friday night in varsity action, the Cyclones kept things rolling in junior varsity action.
Behind a 5-touchdown performance from freshman Bryson Rollins, the Cyclone bagged a 36-29 victory over the visiting Hill Toppers at Citizens Bank Stadium Monday.
“It just feels great to beat them both times,” said Rollins after Monday’s game. “I am just proud of my team and couldn’t ask for a better group.”
The Cyclones’ win, however, was in jeopardy as the ‘Toppers worked their way into striking distance late in the fourth. Just needing a touchdown to tie things up, Science Hill lined up on the Cyclones 27 after Elizabethton’s Trenton Taylor and Grayson Hatfield forced SH quarterback Conner Batchelder to intentionally ground the ball on the previous play.
On third and 10, Batchelder fired a pass downfield that was picked off by Elizabethton’s Braden Holly, keeping the Hill Toppers out of the end zone and allowing the Cyclones to seal a sweep over Science Hill.
Science Hill struck first Monday as Caleb Mazoff ran in from 2 yards out. Science Hill’s Cade Hensley made easy work of the point-after attempt, and the Toppers led 7-0 early in the second quarter.
The Cyclones answered on their next possession. After a 5-play drive from their own 20, Rollins connected with Braden Holly on an 18-yard touchdown pass. The Cyclones’ attempt at a 2-point conversion failed and Elizabethton had cut Science Hill’s lead to just 7-6 with 4:20 left in the first half.
Elizabethton gained the lead right before intermission as Rollins faked a handoff up the middle and easily walked into the end zone from 2 yards out to the right of the Science Hill defense. Elizabethton’s Jaxton Holly kicked through the PAT, and Elizabethton led 13-7.
The Cyclones scored early in the second half as Rollins busted out to the right side before speeding to the end zone on a 50-yard run. Rollins found open field after Braden Holly landed two blocks in the secondary. Jaxton Holly was good on another PAT, giving EHS a 20-7 edge.
The Hilltoppers struck back with Batchelder hitting Cole Torbett on a 34-yard touchdown pass. And with the PAT through the uprights, SH cut Elizabethton’s lead to 20-14 with 5:40 left in the third.
A big interception from Elizabethton’s TY Smith, who pulled the ball in after teammate Jake Roberts tipped it up, allowed EHS to widen the gap to a more comfortable 27-14 after Rollins rushed in from 23 yards out on the possession after the interception. Elizabethton moved on out to a 30-14 edge with 5:16 left in the fourth as Jaxton Holly booted through a 20-yard field goal.
Science Hill closed the gap off a 20-yard touchdown pass form Batchelder before EHS answered with a 56-yard touchdown run from Rollins making it a 36-22 ballgame late in the fourth.
The Hilltoppers scored one last time off a 5-yard TD toss from Batchelder which pulled SH within 7 points of EHS with just 1:21 left to play.
The Hilltoppers recovered an onsides kick on the ensuing kickoff but Holly’s interception ended the comeback threat.