BY IVAN SANDERS

STAR STAFF

ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

There is no doubt that if anyone has ever watched a college or professional football game that the phrase ‘12th man’ hasn’t been heard.

For the Texas A&M Aggies, it’s the large group of cadets who from the opening kickoff to the final buzzer are rocking the stands behind their team on the football field.

In Seattle, the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks fans fly a 12th man flag as the stadium creates such a loud decibel of cheering that the opposing team cannot hear the quarterback’s cadence.

But, at the high school level, the term isn’t heard that much unless it comes from a group whose primary focus is making sure their players and coaches have everything they need to achieve success at a higher level of play on and off the field.

That’s where the Cyclone Touchdown Club shines through as the Touchdown Club strives to be a supplement above what can be provided through the school system.

It all starts with the way the team is taken care of health-wise.

“One of our main purposes is to make sure that the kids are fed before and after the games to make sure all nutritional values are met,” said club president Tony Briggs. “We try to go above what the school provides.”

The club also works hand in hand with parents to make sure that during workouts in the weight room that protein is available to replenish what the body uses during times of physical exertion.

The support doesn’t end just with the nutritional side as there have been several projects completed and currently underway to make sure that the players have the training and equipment needed to continue their success on the gridiron.

“We recently upgraded the weight room with some new equipment and are currently working on renovating the locker room,” Briggs added. “We also purchased some on-field training aids like a speed ladder, speed and agility cones, and tackling dummies.

“Also, we purchased a television for a communication aspect where the team can view weekly notes, game film, weekly practice and game schedules. This information rolls in the locker room to give a big team aspect.”

When the season gets underway, the Touchdown Club sponsors home-game tailgates and the Cyclone walk before the game as the players enter the field.

The club has one big tailgate during the season where they provide the food for all the members to enjoy.

For the safety of the players, the Touchdown Club loads all the football equipment and what may be needed for away games into a trailer and drives it to the opponent’s field so that there isn’t anything that could be launched in the event of an accident during travel.

When fans enter the games, they don’t always see the background work that is provided to make sure that the field and team are ready for play.

“We provide spirit packs for our players that include the shirts and shorts that players work out in before the game,” Briggs added. “We also set up the football helmet and coordinate with the band for the team’s entrance.

“We set up the field on game day and clean it afterward to make sure no equipment is left. We also sweep and manicure the field a week before a home game and will groom the field three times during the year.”

Already this season, the club has sent players to a 7-on-7 at the University of Tennessee and some linemen to camp specific for the line.

The Touchdown Club sponsors fundraisers to be able to do the things they do for the team and has an upcoming Pancake Breakfast on August 31st at Beef O’Brady’s from 7 to 9:30 am. Those interested can get tickets from players or at the door.

This year’s club officers besides Briggs are Joy Briggs-treasurer, Valerie Coleman-vice president, Julz Roberts-secretary, and members Rick Walters, Stacy Street, Brad Killion, Star Nave, and Vicki Johnson.

Briggs is hoping that anyone that is a Cyclone supporter will come and join the club as they continue to supplement the football team’s endeavors.

Membership cost is $50, which includes one club t-shirt or $65, which is a family membership and comes with two t-shirts.

For the past 12 years, the Touchdown Club has presented the Hack Hyder Award at the end of the season which goes to a four-year senior player on the team.