High School Football Roundup

Published 11:13 pm Friday, October 13, 2023

If the scoreboard wasn’t enough to tell the outcome of Friday’s game between Elizabethton and Volunteer, all one had to do was look at the stats and see the total domination on both sides of the football by the Cyclones.

The Cyclones outgained the Falcons 304 to 49 in a contest where the clock ran non-stop in the second half as Elizabethton rolled to a 56-0 Region 1 Class 4A win to set up one of the state’s biggest showdowns in two weeks as the Cyclones host the Greeneville Green Devils for the Region 1 4A title and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Rhett Slagle continued to have the hot hand for the Cyclones as the sophomore quarterback was 9-of-10 for 187 yards and five touchdown passes.

The Cyclones will be off next week before hosting Greeneville on October 27. See more on the Volunteer game in Wednesday’s Elizabethton Star.

GREENEVILLE – With Unaka leading 14-0 at halftime, North Greene’s defense would score three times for a 22-20 conference win. In the first two minutes in the third, the Huskies blocked a punt, intercepted a pass and tied the score at 14. Still in the third, with 2.30 seconds left, the defense would recover a fumble in the end zone for their third score in the quarter and a 22-14 lead. Unaka would score with 3.22 to play in the game but missed the PAT and trailed 22 to 20. An onside kick almost worked. The Ranger defense and quick timeouts gave them one more chance. After four plays, they came a yard short and lost 22-20.

COSBY – In a commanding performance, the Cloudland Highlanders secured their fourth consecutive conference victory with a resounding 55-14 win over the Cosby Eagles. The Highlanders’ offensive charge was led by Kyle Birchfield, who lit up the field with an astounding five touchdowns, showcasing his remarkable skills.

The Highlanders’ defense played an equally essential role in this triumph, with Austin Caraway seizing the spotlight by scoring two interception returns for touchdowns. This defensive prowess stifled the Cosby Eagles’ offense, sacking their quarterback four times throughout the game.

CUMBERLAND GAP – The Happy Valley Warriors notched their fifth consecutive victory by defeating the Cumberland Gap Panthers with a commanding score of 58-12. The Warriors’ relentless performance further solidified their season record at 5-3.

Key contributors to this resounding win included Jamie Esterline, who shone with four touchdowns, showcasing his exceptional offensive capabilities. Joe Sowards also played a pivotal role for the Warriors, contributing two touchdowns to the scoreline.

Adding to the Warriors’ remarkable offensive showcase was Ron Paul Parker, who notched a touchdown, and Mason Norman, whose remarkable scoop-and-score touchdown added to the excitement of the game.

With this victory, the Happy Valley Warriors continue their impressive winning streak.