Cyclones dominant over West Ridge in JV action, 35-16
Published 11:00 pm Thursday, October 14, 2021
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Elizabethton's Jeremiah Norris makes a spectacular grab over the middle for a Cyclone's touchdown, making it 21 - 0 with 4:30 left in the half.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde A West Ridge Runner get sandwiched as JC Andes ends up bringing him down Thursday evening at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Elizabethton's Jeriah Griffin makes a cut inside against a West Ridge defender Thursday evening at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde With five minutes to go in the second quarter, the Cyclones Cameron Baker gets a first down on a nine-yard gain after a screen pass from quarterback Gib Maupin.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Zeth Mullins busts into the secondary after some hard running Thursday night at home in Elizabethton.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Cyclone's Alex Riddle makes an excellent open field tackle after a sideline pass by West Ridge.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Kaleb Holzer gets a handoff up the middle, but then bounces it outside for a nice gain and a first down for Elizabethton.
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BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
It was a perfect Thursday evening for football as the Elizabethton Cyclones welcomed in the West Ridge Wolves in junior varsity action. The Cyclones were dominant early as they fired on all cylinders offensively and had all but won the game at the half. The second half saw the Cyclones let off the gas, but still maintain control in their 35-16 victory.
The Cyclones offense was working early with Gib Maupin finding Luke Whaley on the first pass of the game for nine yards and a sign of things to come. Kaleb Holzer would then gash the defense a couple of plays before the Maupin to Whaley connection was good for 19 yards and the game’s first score.
The defense was staunch from the beginning and led the way for the offense to continue to succeed. The Cyclones shut down both the run and pass with an Andrew Blevins third-down stop forcing a punt back to Elizabethton.
Back in control, the Cyclones continued to move the ball, this time with a little less success. Maupin would find Zeth Mullins for a massive 37-yard gain and the offense was moving. A few mistakes set the Cyclones back to fourth and 21. ‘Betsy would go for it and a nifty hook and ladder would see Holzer pick up the first down.
A few plays later, Maupin connected with Whaley for a second time on the night.
The West Ridge offense remained at a distance and Elizabethton again took over. The result this time was an excellent strike from Maupin to Jeremiah Norris from 21 yards out and the score moved to 21-0.
Elizabethton added one more score before the half with Mullins punching it in from nine yards for the score to give the Cyclones a four-score lead.
The second half was little more than a formality as a comeback seemed unlikely.
A quick turnover on downs put Maupin and company back on the field to finish the job. Maupin would call his own number several times and end up punching in a spectacular effort from 10 yards out to give the Cyclones a 35-0 lead.
‘Betsy let up off the gas a little as the game winded down and the Wolves added two rushing touchdowns. Other than a couple of gashing runs from West Ridge, Elizabethton was nearly flawless.
After all was said and done, Elizabethton took the win, 35-16.
