Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
The defending back-to-back Class 4A State Champion Elizabethton Cyclones continue to reap honors as on Monday morning at the high school, State Senator Rusty Crowe and State Representative John Holsclaw were present along with representatives from Carter County and Elizabethton governing bodies to present a resolution to head coach Shawn Witten and the football team.

The resolution began by saying it was been made to honor and congratulate the Elizabethton High School Cyclones football team on winning the 2020 TSSAA Division 1 Class 4A State Football Championship.

It continued by saying that the resolution was pleased to specially honor and commend those successful high school teams that, through their magnificent exploits, bring honor to Tennessee and serve as exceptional ambassadors for the State.

According to Coach Witten, the presentation has been planned but due to scheduling conflicts, it took a little time to transpire.

“Senator Rusty Crowe and State Representative John Holsclaw had been planning that for a long time and we really couldn’t get a date to match up for when both of those guys were going to be up in this area. Each player gets a proclamation from those guys,” said Witten.

“They really wanted us to get a trip to Nashville and bring us down to put us up for the day and let the kids enjoy the whole area down there in Nashville but we just couldn’t get that lined up.”

Witten said that he hopes that his team takes from the resolution the fact that the effort and work it takes to reach the pinnacle that the Cyclones have achieved in the last two seasons reaches further than just a locker room or football field.

“It’s great memorabilia that’s going to go in some trophy cases. It’s just really great for the young men to realize that hard work pays off and really good things happen to those who work hard. The more the team has success the more each individual has success,” continued Witten.

“Dreams do come true in a small town like Elizabethton and just because you are in a small town like Elizabethton you can have big dreams. When you put forth the effort and put forth the time, you can accomplish anything.

“It’s just great to see our town to be recognized no matter what it may be in. Any time our guys can be recognized it’s a great thing and puts them on a platform. It’s very rewarding for those guys. You think of all the schools that play football and put in the time and it’s great that they took out time to recognize our guys.”

Dr. Jon Minton, Principal of Elizabethton High School, said that the opportunity to have Senator Crowe and Representative Holsclaw on campus along with members of the local government was an honor and especially with the recognition they brought to the high school.

“I think based on just the last couple of years and all the things that the coaches and players, administration, and athletic director – especially the coaches and our A.D. Forrest Holt have been through along with the players and parents and the things that have been accomplished over the last couple of years it is a big deal and deserves recognition,” said Minton.

“We are very appreciative of our state legislatures and our local government for recognizing the accomplishment and excellence.”