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STAR CORRESPONDENT

The Elizabethton Cyclone football program is well known for developing tough-nosed football players and preparing them for the next phase after their high school career ends.

Recently, the Cyclone program saw another of its own put his name on a National Letter of Intent to attend and play football at Carson-Newman College as Andrew Blevins became the first Cyclone in a few years to continue his career as an Eagle.

“Today is an exciting day for Andrew and his family to have the opportunity to continue a dream to get a college education and have the opportunity to play football at Carson-Newman,” said Cyclone head coach Shawn Witten. “We have not had a lot of players to sign with Carson-Newman the last couple of years. Carson-Newman has a new football coach from the United States Naval Academy.”

Witten said that it was Blevins’s resilience to seek an opportunity to become an Eagle that ultimately led to his opportunity as Blevins stayed in contact on a regular basis, and once the new staff arrived, he continued to reach out and knock on the door before being able to secure a roster spot.

The Cyclone head coach said that it was Blevins’s willingness to learn and show up to prepare that earned him the opportunity.

“You can only coach a player to the depth of your relationship, and I am proud to have a great relationship with Andrew,” said Witten. “If anybody knows Andrew, he is not afraid to work. A lot of guys show up to play, but they don’t want to put themselves through that process. I believe today that he is getting the opportunity to play because he is not afraid to go through the process.

“Grit, resilience, toughness – those things matter. In the game of life and in the game of football.”

Blevins said there was one thing that really impressed him in his drive to become an Eagle.

“The atmosphere – the stadium is awesome and the people and coaches are amazing. It’s just a great place to be,” said Blevins.

He was joined by family and friends as well as football and baseball teammates at the signing inside the Elizabethton Commons area.