A bear skinning… Cyclones leave Grizzlies bare in 37-0 District 1-4A win
Published 12:29 am Saturday, September 21, 2019
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone wide receiver Parker Hughes secures the ball with both hands after a reception. Hughes had three receiving touchdowns in the contest against Grainger Co.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone quarterback Bryson Rollins puts on the brakes as Grizzlie defensive lineman Josh Crews closes in.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone running back Cade Maupin uses a forearm to break free from a Grainger Co. defender.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Seven-year old Phoenix Tipton was the honorary 'Betsy Band drum major leading the band into Citizens Bank Stadium Friday night.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
The Elizabethton Cyclones came into Friday night’s contest against Grainger County on a roll offensively and much didn’t change as Coach Shawn Witten’s team rolled the visiting Grizzlies by pitching a 37-0 shutout victory.
The game had all but been settled by halftime as Elizabethton built a commanding 30-0 lead after the first 24 minutes and cruised from there.
Senior Cade Maupin got the home team on the board first as he dashed into the end zone from the five-yard line to make it 7-0 on Jaxton Holly’s point-after with 8:32 in the opening quarter.
The dynamic duo of Batman and Robin weren’t anywhere near Citizens Bank Stadium in the second quarter but that didn’t stop another dynamic pair from taking over the game as quarterback Bryson Rollins and wide receiver Parker Hughes were laying the biff, boom, pow on the Grizzlies by connecting on three scoring tosses in the quarter.
Hughes reeled in passes of 10, 42, and five yards to take the Cyclones to 28-0 after Holly boomed all three point-afters through the uprights.
The Cyclones closed out the scoring when Grainger County punter Rylan Gray had the ball sail over his head and was tackled in the end zone by LaDarian Avery for a safety.
Elizabethton closed out the scoring in the game with 8:46 left in the third quarter on a Rollins 12-yard scoring scamper and Holly’s PAT to give the final score after a running clock from that point.
Statistically, the Cyclones racked up 335 yards of total offense as Rollins continued to impress by hitting 15-of-19 passes for 200 yards and the three scoring passes.
Hughes collected five tosses for 76 yards and the three scores while Zach C. Hartley was targeted three times for 45 yards. Braden Holly caught three passes for 32 yards, Remington Tyree registered a 22-yard reception while Jake Roberts had one grab for 17 yards. Maupin added two catches for eight yards.
Elizabethton also had 21 rushes for 135 yards with Maupin gaining 50 of those yards on eight carries and the score.
Rollins scampered 39 yards on seven carries with Cameron Trimm carrying one time for 31 yards in the win. The Cyclones had 12 first downs in the contest.
If there was one bit of concern, it was the penalties as the Cyclones were flagged 11 times for 116 yards.
“It’s football you know,” said Witten about the penalties after the contest. “We have guys trying really hard and guys trying to overdo it because they want it so bad.
“We just missed opportunities early and missed out tonight on getting some younger guys in the game. We just didn’t execute the way we should have.
“Our defense continues to grow and get better. We are learning our identity on defense and making small strides. We know to be a championship team, our defense really has to come through,” continued Witten.
“When you play teams in November you have to be able to stop the run and we are starting to show signs of that.”
The upcoming week will be a big week on the campus of Elizabethton High School as it will be Homecoming Week 2019 and the Cyclones will be welcoming the Cherokee Chiefs into Citizens Bank Stadium. The Chiefs will come into the game undefeated as well.
