Jr. Cyclones smash Jr. Greene Devils in an opener to remember, 43-6
Published 1:38 am Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Star Photo/Randall Bennett T.A. Dugger quarterback Rhett Slagle picks up a large chunk of yardage on a quarterback keeper.
Star Photo/Randall Bennett T.A. Dugger's defense swarms the Greeneville running back.
Star Photo/Randall Bennett T.A. Dugger's Jack Blevins reels in a reception during Monday's contest in Greeneville.
Star Photo/Randall Bennett This Jr. Greene Devil got to meet the "J Train" up close and personal as Jaiden Wallin runs over the would-be tackler.
Star Photo/Randall Bennett T.A. Dugger's Jackson Buckles heads down the sideline as he outruns a Greeneville defender.
Star Photo/Randall Bennett The T.A. Dugger defense made life absolutely miserable for the Jr. Greene Devil offense.
Star Photo/Randall Bennett T.A. Dugger quarterback Rhett Slagle rolls out and throws a pass downfield to an open receiver.
File Photo/Randall Bennett Jr. Cyclone running back Jack Blevins splits a pair of Jr. Greene Devils in action from Greeneville Middle School.
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BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
GREENEVILLE – After having to wait four extra days to kickoff the TA Dugger football season due to COVID in Greeneville, the Jr. Cyclones showed just how ready they were for the kickoff.
Sometimes an extended period of waiting can hurt a team, but sometimes it can help, and the Cyclones proved that on Monday night with a decisive win, 43-6.
The game got started with the Cyclones firing on all cylinders offensively. Led by 8th-grade quarterback Rhett Slagle, the offense got to work.
Back to back massive Jaiden Wallin runs busted up the Greeneville defense setting up Slagle for an easy run into the end zone. Wallin would convert the 2 point conversion and quickly TA Dugger took the 8-0 advantage.
The ensuing kickoff was the only blemish on the Cyclone record for the evening as the Green Devils took it 75 yards to the house and just like that the TA Dugger offense was back on the field.
A 15-yard pass to Justius Wallin set up Jaiden for yet another big run, this time for 30 yards and a score. William Bowers would add his first of five extra points on the night giving the Cyclones a 15-6 lead.
A staunch defensive effort from TA Dugger forced a turnover on downs and the offense trotted back on the field.
A couple of runs from Slagle and CJ Mathes put the Cyclones in striking distance with Slagle connecting with Jack Blevins for the 11-yard touchdown.
Two plays into the next Greeneville possession, Slagle turned defense into offense and picked off a pass and rumbled over 60 yards the other way for yet another score and the rout was on.
After another turnover on downs from Greeneville, Slagle connected with Jack Blevins for 34 yards and set up another huge touchdown run from Jaiden Wallin – this time from 32-yards out.
With the first half coming to a close, the Green Devils scrambled to try and find points down 36-6. This push for points ended in yet another interception from Cyclone ace Slagle.
Cyclones closed the first half with a trick play with Slagle to Justin Whitehead who found Blevins for 31 yards and a touchdown just to hammer an exclamation point onto the half. Heading into the break, the Cyclones led 43-6.
The second half was little more than a formality as the running clock was in full effect. Each team played one possession as the clock milked its way down to zeros and the Cyclones took home a huge victory.
