Jr. Cyclones complete game translates to dominance in 42-6 win
Published 12:01 am Friday, September 17, 2021
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde TA Dugger's Riley Jones, looks for some yards after the catch during Thursday evening's game against Boone at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Jack Blevins rounds the corner after a dump pass.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Rhett Slagle looks for a screen pass for TA Dugger at home against Boone.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde You take the high road and I'll take the low. #54, Braydon Rainwater, and #44, Justius Wallin, make life difficult for Boone on a short gain play.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde #12, Justin Whitehead, scores on a quarterback keep after bouncing to the outside.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde #47, Jaiden Wallin, says "You shall not pass" as he stuffs the Boone running back Thursday evening at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde TA Dugger's #12, Justin Whitehead, looks for a receiver downfield Thursday evening at home.
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BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
Looking to continue their dominance on the season, the T.A. Dugger Cyclones welcomed in the Boone Middle School Blazers.
Despite a late touchdown from the Blazers, the Cyclones were absolutely unstoppable both defensively and offensively as they won, 42-6.
The offense was firing on all cylinders early with a massive 42-yard run from Jaiden Wallin and the Cyclones were already in striking distance.
With the setup from Wallin, superstar quarterback Rhett Slagle ran the ball in from 10 yards out and a William Bowers extra point made it 7-0 in favor of T.A. Dugger early.
A positive play early on the Daniel Boone drive was about the only success the offense had during the first half.
A series of mistakes coupled with some big plays from defensive monster, Braydon Rainwater, forced a turnover on downs and the Cyclones went back to work.
It took just two plays for the Cyclones to find paydirt again with Slagle finding a wide-open Braxton Avery for 28 yards and a touchdown. After a missed PAT, T.A. Dugger led 13-0.
It wasn’t long before the T.A. Dugger defense won the ball back from the Blazers and the offense was back in business.
Slagle stayed on fire for the Cyclones as the offense was basically unstoppable.
A shanked punt put T.A. Dugger in prime position and it only took a few plays for Slagle to find Jackson Buckles for a 20-yard touchdown to continue the assault.
The Blazers finally begin to make a little headway on their next possession as the game moved to the second quarter, but the defense for the Cyclones continued to bulk up when it counted. Rainwater continued to make big plays and ‘Betsy was back in control before long.
Justin Whitehead checked in the game at quarterback and found Justius Wallin for a few yards to open the next drive.
Whitehead took the direct snap on the next play and rumbled 21 yards for another touchdown. Big Colton Killion would carry the ball in for the two-point conversion and the Cyclones led, 27-0.
The Cyclones weren’t done for the half yet quickly getting the ball back and returning to offensive dominance.
Slagle connected with Jack Blevins for 12 yards and set T.A. Dugger up in the red zone. Slagle found Avery for the 11-yard score just one play later with another big man converting the two-point conversion, this time Carter Greene.
The Cyclones came out of the half leading 35-0 and with the running clock in full effect, the second half was little more than a formality.
The Blazers tried to keep the ball on the ground in the second half which helped to bleed the clock away, but the Cyclone defense was like Marvel villain Thanos, simply inevitable.
You could run and you can hide, but eventually, Braydon Rainwater, Jaiden Wallin, and the rest of the Cyclones defense are going to get you.
The first play of the next T.A. Dugger possession was a 24-yard strike from Slagle to Blevins for another touchdown with Bowers tacking on another extra point.
The Blazers scored a late touchdown which ultimately made the score, 42-6.
Slagle and the rest of the Cyclone offense looked equally as impressive as the defense which is a terrifying thought for the coming opposition.
As the season heads toward the finish line, this T.A. Dugger team has the talent to make big waves.
