Cyclone JV fall short to Science Hill, 34-28
Published 12:01 am Wednesday, September 25, 2019
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
The Cyclones Cade Russell goes up for a last gasp effort at catching a fourth down pass for a score with the final seconds ticking away during a rain shower in Tuesday evening play against Science Hill at Citizens Bank Stadium.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cyclone quarterback Dalton Mitchell tries to avoid a tackle by a Science Hill defender.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Elizabethton running back Nate Stephens finds a huge gap in the Science Hill defense for a nice gain in Tuesday night's contest won by the 'Toppers 32-26.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cyclone wide receiver Cade Russell is off to the races after catching a pass from quarterback Dalton Mitchell. Russell was wrestled down but not before a big gain.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cade Russell steps into the end zone after a pass play resulted in a touchdown.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cade Russell throws a block to free up Nate Stephens for a big gain for the Cyclones.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Elizabethton receiver Josh Sweeney turns the corner after hauling in a reception.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cyclone defensive back Josh Sweeney bats the ball up in the air away from a Science Hill receiver.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cyclone defensive back Hayden Nave gives chase to a Science Hill running back.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Elizabethton's Caleb Johnson puts pressure on the 'Topper quarterback.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
The Elizabethton JV defense makes a goal line stand on a Science Hill runner.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
The Elizabethton Cyclone JV team dug an early deep hole for themselves and the uphill battle just couldn’t be overcome as the visiting Science Hill Hilltopper JV snuck out of Citizens Bank Stadium with a hard-fought 34-28 victory.
Science Hill got on the board first thanks to a Hunter Rutledge 20-yard field goal with 6:53 showing on the first-quarter clock. The ‘Topper defense got in on the act just three minutes later when they sacked Cyclone quarterback Dalton Mitchell in the end zone for a safety to extend the advantage to 5-0.
The visitors from Johnson City kept the heat on into the second quarter as Jaden Swift hauled in a 12-yard touchdown reception to give the ‘Toppers a 12-0 lead after Rutledge’s PAT.
Elizabethton head coach Brian Jenkins had a meeting with his team and issued a challenge that was fully accepted as the Cyclones finally hit pay dirt on a Dalton Mitchell to Cade Russell five-yard scoring strike.
Sean Smithdeal’s point after was true and the Cyclones trailed just 12-7.
Science Hill responded just 19 seconds after the Cyclone score as A.J. Martin took a toss 45 yards to the end zone to give the ‘Toppers a 19-7 lead with 2:35 left to play in the first half.
The Cyclones were determined to not allow the ‘Toppers to have the momentum going into the half as after a timeout, Jenkins dug into his bag of tricks and pulled out the hook and ladder as Mitchell found Russell toward the Cyclone sideline and Nate Stephens took the toss from Russell for a 40-yard score with 50 seconds remaining to make the score 19-14 on Smithdeal’s PAT.
After the half, the ‘Toppers quickly answered just two and a half minutes into the third quarter as Baylor Brock plunged in from six yards out to make it a 26-14 game.
Elizabethton turned back to Stephens who was a man on a mission as the freshman scampered 20 yards for a Cyclone touchdown with 6:22 left on the clock in the third quarter. Smithdeal’s PAT was short and the scoreboard read 26-20.
The Cyclones finally managed to make a stand defensively to get the ball back with Science Hill scoring and used that to their advantage to take the first lead of the night when Mitchell connected with Russell for his second touchdown of the game from seven yards out.
Elizabethton successfully converted the two-point conversion when Mitchell found Peyton Johnson cutting just behind the goal line for the conversion and a 28-26 EHS lead with 38 seconds left in the third quarter.
Science Hill responded as they had all contest long as Martin plowed through on a two-yard touchdown run and the two-point conversion was good to extend the ‘Topper lead to 34-28 with 7:27 left in the contest.
Elizabethton had one last opportunity driving to the ‘Topper 10 yard line before a Mitchell pass to Russell was knocked away by Science Hill defender as rain fell with less than 50 seconds to play to stymie the Cyclone come back attempt and took a knee to end the contest with the victory.
The Cyclone JV will travel to Rogersville next Monday night for a contest against the Cherokee Chiefs.
