Cyclone JV labors into overtime win over Greeneville
Published 11:01 am Tuesday, September 5, 2023
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
CJ Mathes uses his teammate's blocking to pick up a big chunk of yards.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
William McDuffie finds some running room against the Greeneville JV defense.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
CJ Mathes breaks free for a first down gallop.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Elizabethton JV wide receiver Braylen Britt hauls in a touchdown pass over his left shoulder for the Cyclone JV's first score of the game.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Braylen Britt is zoned in for his second scoring reception of the game.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Mason Hall wraps up the Greeneville quarterback for a sack in Monday's game.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
A Cyclone runner breaks loose through the middle of the Greeneville defense.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Logan Campbell made a stellar play for a touchdown by keeping his feet in bounds on this reception.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Cyclone JV quarterback Jaxon Price keeps the ball on a quarterback sneak near the goal line.
STAR CORRESPONDENT
The Elizabethton Cyclone JV continued its annual tradition of playing a game on Labor Day on Monday at Citizens Bank Stadium when they hosted the Greeneville Green Devils JV for a Monday morning contest.
Opening up to a 27-7 halftime advantage, the Cyclones looked like they were in firm control but a late-game rally by the Green Devils sent the game into overtime before Elizabethton pulled out the thrilling victory, 34-27.
It was all Cyclones in the opening half, thanks in part to the arm of quarterback Jaxon Price, who tossed four scoring passes in the first 20 minutes of play.
‘Betsy scored first as Price found Braylen Britt on a 41-yard scoring pass that was perfectly placed where only Britt could catch the football. Logan Dillow’s point-after was good and the Cyclones led 7-0 at the 6:01 mark of the quarter.
Kaine Ricker pulled the visitors even when he broke free on a 40-yard romp to the end zone and the point after was true to make it 7-7 with 4:38 left in the opening quarter.
The Cyclones jumped back in front early in the second quarter as it was a Price to Britt nine-yard pass that helped to push the home team in front. Dillow converted the PAT and the scoreboard read 14-7 EHS.
It was once again the Price to Britt combination that helped to extend the Cyclones lead with just 2:11 left before halftime. This time, the pass covered 30 yards as the PAT failed, making it a 20-7 lead for the home team.
Elizabethton still wasn’t done as Price went to the air again to find Logan Campbell on a 19-yard pass in the corner of the end zone for a 27-7 edge after Dillow’s boot.
The lead may have lulled the Cyclones into a mild daze as the Green Devils came out clicking in the second half.
Ricker added a three-yard touchdown run with 5:57 left in the third quarter and followed that up with a 25-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth to pull the visitors to within 27-21.
An onside kick worked to perfection for Greeneville, who marched down the field with who else but Ricker pushing in the score that left the visitors one point shy of taking the lead with one minute left to play.
However, Billy Woodby busted through the Greeneville line and blocked the kick as the game ended in regulation at 27-27.
Greeneville won the toss and elected to go on defense first in overtime.
The Cyclones used the legs of CJ Mathes to drive into the end zone on its series and Dillow converted for a 34-27 lead with the Green Devils going on offense.
But the Cyclones were up to the challenge and held the visitors at bay to earn the hard-fought victory.
The Cyclone JV will play again Thursday at 6 pm at Brown-Childers Stadium when they host West Ridge.
