High School Football Roundup

Published 11:57 pm Friday, September 1, 2023

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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cyclone defensive end Mason Ball snags Grizzlies quarterback Luke Davis’s hand just as he is about to release a pass, forcing the football to take an awkward trajectory.

Cyclones leave Grainger bare in whipping of Grizzlies

Elizabethton 65, Grainger Co. 14
RUTLEDGE – The state’s #3 ranked Class 4-A Elizabethton Cyclones showed Grainger Co. exactly why they have that ranking as Coach Shawn Witten’s squad caged the Grizzlies in commanding fashion by a 65-14 final.
Elizabethton racked up 374 yards of total offense, led by three rushing scores by senior Kaleb Holzer and a pair from senior running back Zeth Mullins as the game was pretty much on ice by halftime,
The Cyclone defense was once again impressive, holding the home team to only 117 total yards of offense on the night. Landry Buckles had a pick-six from his linebacker spot for Elizabethton.

2023 Cloudland Highlanders

Cloudland Dominates Hancock County with 54-16 Victory

Cloudland 54, Hancock County 16
SNEEDVILLE —In a commanding performance, Cloudland High School’s football team secured a dominant 54-16 victory against Hancock County. The game’s momentum was set in the first quarter as Walker Gouge scored Cloudland’s first touchdown with a long pass from QB Bryce Birchfield, followed by Grayson Cole’s TD. Bryce Birchfield added a two-point conversion. Although Hancock County managed to score, Cloudland responded promptly. The second quarter saw Kyle Birchfield and Cam Peppers adding to Cloudland’s lead. An interception by Grayson Cole closed the second quarter with Cloudland leading 38-8. Cloudland continued its dominance in the third quarter, extending their lead to 46-8. The fourth quarter featured Kingston Cole’s touchdown and a two-point conversion by Grayson Cole. Hancock County managed a late score.

Star Photo/Larry N. Souders
The Rangers Conner McKinney (7) slips a would be Twin Springs tackler in the secondary and rips off his second of two 31-yard runs late in the first quarter.

Penalties and turnovers plagued the Rangers in loss to Titans

Unaka 0, Twin Springs 42
Big plays were the order of the night for the Twin Springs Titans as senior RB Colten Kilgore scored four touchdowns – a 43-yard run, a 55-yard run and 53 and 57-yard receptions as the Titans won 42-0 at Goddard Field on Friday night.
Unaka had a stand-in QB as Brynin Repass was injured on a punt return in the first period and did not return. Connor McKinney came in in relief and  rushed 13 times for 92 yards, but Unaka was penalty plagued and lost four fumbles in this one as they fall to 0-2.

2023 Hampton Bulldogs

Bulldogs struggle on the road and fall to the Pisgah Bears

Hampton 14, Pisgah 42
CANTON, NC -The Bulldogs packed up and made the long trip to Canton, North Carolina, Friday night and they were met with a very talented and deep Bears football team. The Bears would get the scoring underway by dropping two touchdowns in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead. The Bulldogs would battle back, showing a lot of toughness and fight, cutting the lead from 14 to 6. Unfortunately, their momentum wouldn’t last as The Bears would get a rushing touchdown to grab the momentum back heading to the locker room and going up 21 to 6.
The Pisgah squad’s depth and size would begin to show in the second half as the Bears would flash their speed to push the score up to 42 to 6. Showing some heart, the Hampton Bulldogs would continue to battle and score a late touchdown, but it would be too little too late as the Bears would run out the clock and take the 42 to 14 win. In the loss, Geno Carrico and Dominique Burleson scored a touchdown each. The Bulldogs now stand at 1-2 after starting their season against three consecutive larger 3A schools. They will now jump into district play and will host the Happy Valley Warriors next week with a kickoff scheduled for 7:30.

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