Cyclones shell Patriots… EHS rolls up 484 yards total offense in 58-7 conference win
Published 11:11 pm Friday, August 28, 2020
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton's Cade Russell picks up a large chunk of yardage during the first quarter of Friday's 58-7 win over Sullivan East.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton wide receiver Jake Roberts takes a reception across the middle of the field for a Cyclone score.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone running back LaDarian Avery takes advantage of a gaping hole created by the EHS offensive line for a big gain.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone wide receiver takes a pitch on an end-around and races all the way to the end zone for an EHS score.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
For all intents and purposes, Friday night’s contest between the Elizabethton Cyclones and the visiting Sullivan East Patriots as the Cyclones ran out to a 35-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter on their way to a 58-7 conference win to run their record to 2-0 on the young season.
Elizabethton used a bevy of weapons on the night as quarterback Bryson Rollins opened the scoring on a three-yard run just 1:22 into the contest for the early 7-0 lead after Sean Smithdeal’s point-after attempt cleared easily.
After holding East to a quick three and out, the Cyclones went back to work as Rollins tossed a 23-yard scoring pass to junior wide receiver Jake Roberts to move the score to 14-0 with the kick at 9:11 of the first quarter.
The Cyclone defense was once again terrific forcing the Patriots into another turn over on downs and this time it was senior LaDarian Avery who carried the bulk of the load on the drive and was rewarded with a one-yard scoring run and the Cyclones were off and running at 21-0 just 6:33 into the opening quarter.
Senior Parker Hughes got into the action on the ensuing Cyclone drive as the rugged and tough wide receiver took off on a 39-yard run on an end-around to stake Elizabethton to a 28-0 lead after Smithdeal’s PAT.
Nate Stephens put an exclamation point on the first 12 minutes when he galloped 30 yards for a score with 1:51 left in the first quarter and the Patriots left trying to figure out the tag number on the runaway truck they had just encountered as the Cyclones led 35-0 at the end of he quarter.
‘Betsy wasn’t done as Rollins rolled out and found senior receiver Braden Holly on a 17-yard toss just barely 1:40 into the second quarter as Smithdeal missed his first extra point of the season on the PAT but with the Cyclones leading 41-0.
Hughes brought the crowd to its feet with 6:55 left in the first half as he hauled in a 98-yard pass from Rollins giving a solid stiff arm to a would-be Patriot defender along the way. The PAT from Smithdeal made it a 48-0 Cyclone advantage.
Stephens recorded his second rushing touchdown of the contest just 30 seconds before intermission as he blazed his way to a 39-yard scoring romp. With Smithdeal’s kick, the Cyclones went into the break up 55-0.
With a running clock in the second half, and head coach Shawn Witten subbing freely, the Cyclones added their final score on a 28-yard field goal from Smithdeal to make it 58-0.
The Patriots broke the ice in the final seconds of the contest when Manny Milhorn caught a pass from Seth Dalton and took it 61 yards to the house with only five seconds remaining in the contest.
Clayton Ivester’s point-after attempt was true to give the game its final score, 58-7.
Rollins once again was very efficient in the passing game going 6-of-9 for 194 yards and three scores giving him six on the season.
The Cyclones rushed 32 times for 270 yards in the game as Stephens led in that category caring eight times for 96 yards and the two scores. Avery added seven touches for 60 yards and the score.
After forcing four turnovers last week against Science Hill, the Cyclone defense was busy once again as they picked off the Patriot quarterbacks three times with Holly, Hughes, and Teddy Orton each snagging a pick off.
“We came out and had a lot of areas of improvement,” said Witten after the contest. “It was the second consecutive week at home and we just wanted to get off to a good start.
“We hit the ground running which was awesome to see. There was a lot of energy and excitement and the big thing is that we are 2-0.
“Our line struggled a little bit last week playing a 6-A football team and we wanted to come out tonight and establish the run and get those guys involved. They had a sour taste in their mouth from last week so those guys have worked really hard this week and I am proud of them.”
After taking an open week this upcoming week, the Cyclones return to action on September 4th when they travel to Gray to take on the Daniel Boone Trailblazers in non-conference action.
