Cyclones flatten Blazers in second-half uprising
Published 12:30 pm Monday, September 23, 2024
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton running back Justius Wallin picks his way through the Boone defense for a score.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent J-Bird Wallin lowers his shoulder as he works around the end, pursued by Boone defenders.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton linebacker Billy Woodby grabs a handful of jersey as he attempts to bring down a Boone runner.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Rhett Slagle scampers for a big gain against Boone.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Running back Landry Buckles breaks to the outside for a large gain.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent An offensive lineman lifts wide receiver Justin Whitehead into the air after Whitehead hauled in a touchdown pass from Rhett Slagle.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent CJ Mathes stiff-arms a Boone defender on his way to a 41-yard touchdown run.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent J-Bird Wallin lowers his head, driving a group of Blazers into the end zone.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
JOHNSON CITY — The Elizabethton Cyclones continued their winning ways Friday night as Coach Shawn Witten and his team traveled to ETSU’s William B. Greene Jr. Stadium to take on the Daniel Boone Trailblazers in non-conference play.
While the Cyclones didn’t look quite like themselves in the first half, they more than made up for it in the final 24 minutes, outscoring the host Blazers 35-0 to secure a 42-0 victory.
First-half woes
The Cyclones sputtered through the first 24 minutes of the contest as Boone (0-5) seemed to frustrate them on both sides of the football.
Neither team could find the end zone in the first quarter, and it wasn’t until the clock was set to almost expire in the half that Elizabethton finally managed to score. Quarterback Rhett Slagle placed the football where only wide receiver Zach Wallin could catch it, in the corner of the end zone for the first score of the night.
Will Bowers’ point-after kick was good, and with six seconds left in the half, the Cyclones led 7-0.
Halftime adjustments make the difference
With Boone changing things up from what the Cyclones had seen on film, the Elizabethton coaching staff made necessary adjustments at halftime that changed the game’s dynamics.
The Cyclones expanded their lead in the third quarter with two touchdowns. Slagle bulled his way into the end zone from six yards out to push the lead to 14-0 after Bowers’ PAT. The score came at the 4:57 mark of the third quarter.
Just before the quarter ended, Slagle connected with Justin Whitehead on a left-shoulder pass, allowing Whitehead to get his feet inside the end zone for another six points with 1:33 left. Bowers’ kick put the Cyclones up 21-0 heading into the final quarter of play.
Closing out with gusto
The two touchdowns in the third quarter took the wind out of the Blazers, and the Cyclones closed out the game by recording three more scores in the final 12 minutes.
With Boone driving, a loose football on the field ended any hopes of a score as defensive back Justius Wallin picked up the pigskin and raced 75 yards to the end zone less than three minutes into the quarter. Bowers’ kick was true, and the scoreboard read 28-0.
The Cyclones continued to push as CJ Mathes rumbled into the end zone from the Boone 41-yard line, patiently waiting for his blockers before breaking free along the visitor’s sideline for six points. Caleb Campbell’s PAT with 5:18 left made it 35-0.
Elizabethton recorded its final score with 2:10 remaining when J-Bird Wallin drove the Blazer defense into the end zone for a seven-yard score. Campbell’s kick gave the game its final margin of 42-0.
By the numbers
The Cyclones outgained the Blazers 331-151, recording 214 yards on the ground on 32 carries. Slagle completed 9 of 13 passes for 117 yards and two scores, adding another touchdown on the ground. Boone found more success through the air than on the ground, gaining 100 yards in passing.
EHS had 16 first downs to Boone’s 9. Each team was flagged six times, with the Cyclones penalized 55 yards and Boone marked off for 35 yards. Boone punted three times for an average of 26.6 yards, while Campbell had one punt covering 41 yards.
J-Bird Wallin had 11 carries for 55 yards and a score, while Slagle added nine carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. Mathes made the most of his two touches, racking up 51 yards.
Zach Wallin hauled in five catches for 50 yards and a score, while Jack Blevins added three receptions for 53 yards.
Defensively, the Cyclones recorded three sacks, with Buckles and Kyron Smalls recording one apiece. Braydon Rainwater and Justius Wallin shared a half-sack.
Next Up: Homecoming Week challenges
The Cyclones now turn to a challenging week as they prepare for Homecoming. With activities such as dress-up days, powder puff football, and a pre-game parade, the focus will need to stay on Sullivan East. The Patriots come into the contest with a 1-4 overall mark and a 1-1 Region 1-4A record. Their sole win came against Volunteer.
Everyone knows that a struggling team is dangerous, as they have nothing to lose and everything to gain in a contest like this. Look for Coach Witten to keep reminding his team of the bigger picture: maintaining a spotless Region 1-4A record ahead of their final season game against Greeneville, where the regional title may be at stake.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., with the crowning of the Homecoming queen set for halftime.
