Cyclone JV comes up just short against Science Hill
Published 12:35 am Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde The Cyclone defense attempts to keep the Science Hill running back from getting into the endzone early in the fourth quarter.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Jeriah Griffin looks for some running room on a kickoff return early in the fourth quarter.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Cyclones quarterback Gib Maupin looks for an open receiver at Science Hill Monday evening.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Elizabethton's Kaleb Holzer got the Cyclones in Science Hill territory with a nice run in the fourth quarter.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde After the hole collapsed inside, the Cyclones Zeth Mullins bounced it outside for a nice gain late in the game.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Kaleb Holzer (27) gets help as Elizabethton converges on the Science Hill quarterback late in the game.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Elizabethton had an opportunity to score late in the game but came up short.
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BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
JOHNSON CITY – On a rainy Monday night, the Cyclones of Elizabethton traveled to Kermit Tipton Stadium in Johnson City for a date with Science Hill in junior varsity action. Hoping to replicate the success of the varsity meeting earlier this season, the Cyclones both lost the lead and caught up from behind, but ultimately fell just short, 32-28.
The Cyclones took the opening possession and quickly drove down the field to put some early pressure on the Hilltoppers defense. Quarterback Gib Maupin called his own number and punched in the first touchdown of the game with Caleb Campbell connecting on his first of four extra points on the night.
The Hilltoppers quickly responded with a flurry of runs, something that the Cyclone defense struggled with all game. It wasn’t long before the prolific Science Hill rushing attack made it 7-6 after a missed PAT.
Not to be outdone, Maupin and the Cyclones responded accordingly once again. This time Elizabethton capped the drive off with a beautiful pass from Maupin to Jeriah Griffin for 21 yards and after three total possessions, there were three scores.
Finally, a little bit of defense entered the game as the Cyclones buckled down and forced a turnover on downs. However, they couldn’t answer with points of their own ending the next drive with a missed field goal.
Back with the ball in hand, Science Hill hoped to level the score with halftime approaching. A big gain on the ground had the Cyclones reeling, and a few plays later Science Hill punched it in making it a 14-12 Betsy lead heading into the half.
The Hilltoppers had a dream start to the half as they found two quick scores and shut the Cyclone offense down while putting themselves in control for the first time, 26-14.
The momentum rapidly swapped back over with Maupin finding Griffin yet again, this time for 24 yards and a score.
The ensuing kickoff saw a fumbled kickoff from the Hilltoppers be recovered by Jeremiah Norris and ‘Betsy was back on offense. The first play of the drive was an outstanding diving catch from Teddy Orton from Maupin for another quick score and after an eventful third quarter, Elizabethton led 28-26.
A combination of missed tackles and self-inflicted wounds allowed Science Hill to drive back down the field and score the go-ahead touchdown while draining off a fair bit of clock.
Science Hill forced a three and out, but a muffed punt recovered by Zeth Mullins meant the Cyclones had another lifeline. After driving deep into the red zone the Cyclones came up just short and after some first downs, the Hilltoppers claimed victory, 32-28.
