Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Star Correspondent

After thunderstorms moved through the area about half an hour before game time this past Friday night, the Elizabethton Cyclones will get back on the field Friday night when Grainger County pays a visit to Citizens Bank Stadium to kick off Region 1-4A play.

The Facts

Elizabethton (0-1)
The Cyclones were ready to get on the field against Morristown West on Friday, looking to shake off the sting of their season-opening 35-14 loss to Science Hill with a potential win against the Trojans.
However, due to the weather, the Cyclones have had to wait and practice an extra week as they attempt to put the loss in the rearview mirror.

Grainger County (2-0)
The Grizzlies enter the contest undefeated after defeating the Claiborne County Bulldogs 21-7 in their season opener and handing the Chuckey-Doak Black Knights a 42-21 loss this past Friday night.
Grainger comes into this contest looking for its first victory against the Cyclones, having gone 0-7 in their last seven meetings, including last year’s 65-14 loss in Rutledge.

Scouting Report

Grainger
Coach Mark Briscoe will bring a team to Citizens Bank Stadium that is older and has size. With that size, the Grizzlies rely heavily on the ground game, aiming to run the football down their opponent’s throats.
The Grizzlies will attempt to establish the line of scrimmage and challenge the Cyclone defensive linemen to clog up the running lanes. Elizabethton, meanwhile, will counterattack in hopes of giving their linebackers the opportunity to bring the pop to any run attack the Grizzlies might try to establish.

Elizabethton
Reps! Reps! Reps! That’s what the Cyclones need to establish to see what Coach Shawn Witten’s team is capable of and attempt to build depth.
Game one proved that the plethora of running backs at Witten’s disposal are capable game changers, with the running of Justius Wallin, J-Bird Wallin, and Landry Buckles showing their resilience against a physical Hilltopper defense.
One thing the head coach, now in his 18th year, would like to see is junior quarterback Rhett Slagle getting settled into a rhythm with his receivers, who are capable of turning the game on a dime with a highlight-reel catch for a big-time score.
Slagle and senior wide receiver Jeriah Griffin were just a few yards short on two big pass attempts against Science Hill that might have flipped the game the other way.
With the experience Slagle gained last season leading the Cyclones, look for the gunslinger to get his sights zeroed in and ready to make some huge throws from his quarterback position.

Coach’s Corner
Witten noted some important factors for Friday’s game.
“This game is more about the Cyclones after we missed our game Friday,” said Witten. “There are a number of guys that we need to look at in different positions. We have had good physical practices with a number of guys stepping up.
“We need to see some big plays both offensively and defensively. Defensively, we need to force turnovers and also tackle better. Offensively, we need to get Rhett established early.
“It’s all about getting our guys more reps.”

Kickoff for Friday night’s game is 7:30 p.m., with an extended early look at the weather forecast once again calling for temperatures in the upper 70s with a 60% chance of showers.