Cyclones must stay focused as South rolls into Citizens Bank Stadium
Published 11:45 pm Thursday, October 24, 2019
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File Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton's Cade Maupin picks up a chunk of yards last week against Greeneville. Maupin will be counted upon to do the same for the Cyclones tonight against Sullivan South.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
The Elizabethton Cyclones took care of business last week against the Greeneville Greene Devils coming back from a 14-point deficit to rally to a three-point win thanks to Jaxton Holly’s field goal with just a few ticks on the game clock.
This week the Cyclones will once again be facing a Region 1-4A foe in Sullivan South and there is nothing that the Rebels would love to do more than to beat the Cyclones and forge a three-way tie in the region as Greeneville has already beaten South and now the Rebels desire to do the same to Elizabethton.
The Cyclones know what is riding on the game as with a win, it seals up the region and Elizabethton will be at home throughout the playoffs leading to the state championship game.
Now, the coaching staff has two things that they must focus on tonight. One is obviously their opponent but the other is making sure to keep their senior leadership focused as that group will be honored for their contribution to the Elizabethton program for the last four years.
The work is not finished and the last thing that Elizabethton wants to happen is to fail to show up and take care of business against South. Head coach Shawn Witten is fully aware of scenarios that can take place when teams let their guard down having coached in 13 seasons and seeing a little of everything.
Elizabethton will once again work to make sure to keep balance offensively as sophomore quarterback Bryson Rollins will be counted upon to lead the team on the field with both his feet and his legs.
Senior Cade Maupin, who has made the most of his lone season as a Cyclone, needs to keep the intensity level at its highest this week as he did last week paving the way for the win over the Greene Devils.
Wide receivers Parker Hughes and Zach C. Hartley had big touchdown receptions last week and will have the bullseye on their chest for Rollins to locate and hit for big plays this week.
Meanwhile, the defensive line continues to play outstanding holding Greeneville senior fullback Ty Youngblood fully in check last week and will have to focus on stopping the Rebels running attack.
The Cyclone secondary has also been stout on the season to complement their defensive line in making it tough on the Cyclone opposition to find any success.
One can’t overlook the job the young offensive line has done up until this point in the season, opening up the holes for the running backs and providing protection for their quarterback to throw the football.
Witten stated last week that he would love to be able to get his starters out of the game early and save them heading into the postseason.
For that to happen, the Cyclones will have to come out and execute their offense to the max and keep the Rebels time on the field limited.
Focus will be preached this week on both sides of the football.
