The quest begins in earnest… Cyclones hit field early as dead period ends
Published 2:41 pm Monday, July 10, 2023
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cyclone running back Jaiden (J Bird) Wallin bulls his way through blocking dummies held by coaches Carter Everett (left) and Travis Hurley (right).
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Mason Ball (87) runs a defensive drill during Monday morning's first official practice of the 2023 season.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
A Cyclone defensive lineman works against a blocking dummy during the first official day of football practice for the Cyclones.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Elizabethton head coach Shawn Witten has the attention of his players as he explains the next drill.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
A Cyclone running back works on getting in behind a lineman and staying on the block as long as possible.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Landry Buckles goes to the turf to secure a loose football as Coach Ryan Witten looks on.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Coach Ryan Witten works with the defensive unit on scooping up loose fumbles.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Quarterback coach Carter Everett runs quarterbacks Rhett Slagle (8) and Justin Whitehead (17) through drills early Monday morning at Citizens Bank Stadium.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cam Baker carries the football during drills to work on knocking the football out of the hands of a ball carrier.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Defensive players prepare to hit the sled during the first workout after the TSSAA dead period ended.
Star Correspondent
The 2023 football season officially got underway at 7:30 am on Monday morning for the Elizabethton Cyclones who had been chomping at the bits waiting for the TSSAA dead period to end so they could once again prepare for what they hope will be another deep run in the playoffs at the end of the regular season.
All county teams also took part in opening day practice with some electing to go morning while others chose evening practices.
Monday morning’s early practice was a reminder of how quickly teams turn around from the end of one season to the beginning of another as conditioning and spring practice drills quickly evaporate and a new season is ready to begin.
For the Cyclones, nothing has changed as the ultimate reward is making the state championship game at the end of the regular season. Some faces have changed on the Elizabethton schedule this season as the Cyclones will play Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett, Cherokee, Northview Academy, and Morristown West along with regulars Science Hill, Daniel Boone, Grainger, Sullivan East, Volunteer, and the big conference matchup against Greeneville coming at home in the regular-season finale which could determine the conference champion.
The Cyclones will see some new faces leading the way this year as graduation left the Cyclones without some key players from the 2022 season that saw Elizabethton give eventual state champion Anderson County the two closest games the Mavericks had all season losing both in heartbreaking fashion on the road.
It’s a long season and as everyone knows a couple of key losses on either side of the football can affect the season as witnessed by the slow start in 2022.
However, the Cyclones have put that in the rear-view mirror and looking to go full steam ahead in prepping for the new season.
Fans will only have four opportunities to see the Cyclones at home this season in the regular season due to scheduling but the same schedule flips next season to give the Cyclones six home games.
Season tickets are currently on sale at the high school athletic department. Tickets will be $65 each while parking passes are $55 each. The athletic department can be reached at 423-547-8015, ext. 1549 for any questions regarding tickets.
