Jr. Cyclones prepare to defend Conference title

Published 2:05 pm Tuesday, July 18, 2023

By Ivan Sanders

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To be able to have a successful high school program year after year, there has to be a strong feeder program that teaches the skills and plays needed to be able to step into larger roles once a player reaches the high school level.
With the success of the Elizabethton Cyclone football team over the years, it is easy to see that the T.A. Dugger Jr. High program has taken young men when they first enter the sixth grade level and work to mold them into better athletes before they hit the next level.
The Jr. Cyclones have been producing championship-caliber teams over the last few years, either winning their conference title outright or tying for the title.
Of course these teams have also been aided for the last couple of years by the formation of the Jr. Cyclone football program that works with younger players before they reach the middle school level.
Just like their big-brother Cyclones, the Jr. Cyclones have been hard at it working to prepare for a new season as they look to once again compete for the top spot in their conference.
One thing that the Jr. Cyclone program has an advantage in, is that they have a coaching staff with many years of experience either playing or coaching football led by head coach Brock Pittman who was a standout player for ETSU. Also, Ryan Witten has been instrumental in the development of the players, not only working with the team on the field but also at Witten Huddle, where many of the players go to train.
Matt Fox has been around the football program for many years and brings a ton of energy to the team, along with Brandon Blevins, who was a standout punter in his high school career. Eddie Morrell has also come on board to assist the team this season.
The Jr. Cyclones have a standout backing much like their high school counterparts as the TAD Jr. High Cyclone Touchdown Club works to ensure that the team’s needs that aren’t covered by the school are met including meals before the team’s games.
TAD will get underway on August 17th when they travel to take on Daniel Boone in the season opener. The remainder of the schedule includes the following:
  • Aug. 24 – Sevier (Home)
  • Aug. 31 – Crockett (Away)
  • Sept. 7 – Sullivan Heights (Home)
  • Sept. 14 – Indian Trail (Away)
  • Sept. 21 – Liberty Bell (Home)
  • Sept. 28 – Greeneville (Away)
  • Oct. 5 – Tennessee Middle (Home)
All varsity games will start at 5:30 pm with the JV game to follow immediately. All home games will be played at Citizens Bank Stadium.

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