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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com 
The T.A. Dugger Jr. Cyclone football team was following stride in stride with their high school counterparts as they just came off a 51-0 win over the Crockett Jr. Pioneers.

Nothing looked like it was going to sidetrack the team until a positive COVID-19 test to one of its players has caused the team and the coaching staff to enter a 14-day quarantine out of an abundance of caution.

According to Elizabethton City Schools Director Richard VanHuss, “A member of the T.A. Dugger Cyclone football community has tested positive for the coronavirus.

“After consulting with the Carter County Health Department, contact tracing was completed and any individuals identified as close contacts were instructed to quarantine at home for 14 days from their last contact with the positive case.”

VanHuss went on to add that anyone who is quarantined is not allowed to return to school or any extracurricular activities until the 14-day period has elapsed.

“Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 are to self-isolate at home for ten days from the onset of their symptoms or from their positive test date,” VanHuss continued. “The individual must be fever-free for 24 hours and have improving symptoms before leaving isolation and returning to school.

“ECS staff members have already cleaned and disinfected surfaces in locker rooms, restrooms, and equipment. After consultation with the Carter County Health Department, it was determined that the team and coaching staff be quarantined for fourteen days.”

VanHuss said that the situation will continue to be monitored and the community will be updated of any changes. He further added that if a parent has a question, to please contact your child’s school.

Jr. Cyclone head coach Brock Pittman said that the decision to quarantine was the right call by the school’s administration and hopes that his team can return and finish out their season.