Jr. Cyclones move to 6-0 with another thumping
Published 8:56 am Friday, September 13, 2024
Contributed Photo/Lisa Baker T.A. Dugger's Legend Pate (7) crosses the goal line behind the block of Eli Whitaker (32).
Contributed Photo/Lisa Baker T.A. Dugger's Bryce Dillard (23) knocks the football loose from a Liberty Bell running back.
Contributed Photo/Lisa Baker Carson Lyons rolls out for a big gain against the Liberty Bell defense.
Contributed Photo/Lisa Baker Max Fields heads for the end zone after a touchdown reception from quarterback Creed Baker.
Contributed Photo/Lisa Baker Quarterback Creed Baker looks for an opening in the Patriot defense.
Contributed Photo/Lisa Baker Legend Pate breaks free on a big run for the Jr. Cyclone offense.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
At this point in the season, it doesn’t matter what day, where, or what time the T.A. Dugger Jr. Cyclones take on an opponent—the results always seem to be the same.
Due to a scheduling conflict with the Elizabethton High School soccer team, which played a home game on Thursday, the Jr. Cyclones simply moved their game to Wednesday evening, where they proceeded to deliver another dominant performance, defeating the visiting Liberty Bell Patriots 43-0.
The Jr. Cyclone defense has not allowed a single point all season, as they notched another shutout on Wednesday.
Offensively, eighth-grader Legend Pate continued his remarkable season, scoring four times and adding two two-point conversions.
Pate got things started with a six-yard scoring run, followed by a successful two-point conversion to give the Jr. Cyclones an 8-0 lead.
Quarterback Creed Baker continued his strong season through the air, connecting with Max Fields on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Pate added the two-point conversion, extending the lead to 16-0.
The Jr. Cyclones went into their bag of tricks as Baker connected with Fields, who lateraled the ball to Pate. Pate covered the final 15 yards on the old Hook and Ladder play. The conversion attempt failed, but TAD still led 22-0.
Pate added his third touchdown of the game with a three-yard run, making it 28-0. Carson Thompson kicked the extra point, pushing the score to 29-0.
Callen Reed joined the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown run, with Thompson adding another extra point to make it 36-0.
Pate closed out the scoring with a 35-yard sprint to the end zone. Thompson capped off his perfect night, going 3-for-3 on PATs, giving the Jr. Cyclones a final 43-0 margin of victory.
Head coach Brock Pittman praised his team’s all-around performance on both sides of the ball.
“I am very proud of our kids—it was a hard-fought win,” Pittman said. “Our kids deserve this. I am proud of our ability to move the football on offense and proud of our defense for getting another shutout. These coaches do a great job preparing our players to succeed. Cyclone Nation showed up again today, and we really appreciate it. Go Cyclones!”
T.A. Dugger will look to continue its unbeaten streak next Thursday when they travel to Johnson City to take on the Indian Trail Hawks at Steve Spurrier Field at Kermit Tipton Stadium.
