Cyclones lose momentum as Greene Devils capitalize on mistakes
Published 4:49 pm Monday, November 4, 2024
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Justius Wallin set up the Cyclones in good field position with an interception before a Greeneville score shifted the game’s momentum.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton running back J-Bird Wallin gains speed on a run for the Cyclones.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton quarterback Rhett Slagle moves upfield on a keeper.
Photo CYCGHS 5 Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclone running back J-Bird Wallin looks for an opening.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclone defensive end Ben Adams tries to bring down Greeneville running back Carson Quillin.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Running back CJ Mathes eludes a tackle from a Greeneville defender for a nice gain.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent The Elizabethton Cyclones are fired up as they take the field before Friday night’s kickoff in Greeneville.
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Star Correspondent
GREENEVILLE — The Elizabethton Cyclones knew that to secure the Region 1-4A title on the road, they needed to focus on two key factors: keeping Greeneville’s offense off the field and avoiding turnovers. For the first 22 minutes, the Cyclones managed to meet these challenges, applying pressure to the Greene Devils and silencing the home crowd. However, Greeneville eventually took control and surged to a 41-7 victory, securing the regional title.
Early Stages of the Contest
With the title at stake, Greeneville’s senior running back Carson Quillin opened the scoring, rushing four yards for a touchdown. Samuel Gourley’s extra point put the Greene Devils ahead 7-0 with 7:06 left in the first quarter. Elizabethton had an opportunity to respond late in the quarter, but placekicker Will Bowers missed a field goal, leaving the score at 7-0.
Momentum Swaps Sides
Just 28 seconds into the second quarter, Greeneville’s Zayden Anderson wrestled a would-be interception away from a Cyclone defender and sprinted 69 yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was blocked, bringing the score to 13-0.
Elizabethton responded, cutting the lead to 13-7 with 3:19 remaining in the half. Quarterback Rhett Slagle connected with Zach Wallin on a 14-yard fourth-down pass for a Cyclone touchdown, and Bowers converted the PAT. On the next possession, Justius Wallin intercepted a Caden Baugh pass, giving the Cyclones another chance.
However, Greeneville quickly shifted the momentum back. Anderson intercepted a pass from Slagle and ran 86 yards for a touchdown, with Gourley’s PAT extending the lead to 20-7. Shortly after, Greeneville’s Isaac McGill picked off another Slagle pass and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown, making it 27-7 with 1:18 left in the half.
Second Half Struggles for Cyclones
With a 20-point lead, Greeneville maintained control. Quillin added two more touchdowns—one in the third quarter and another in the fourth—to finalize the score at 41-7.
By the Numbers
Greeneville outgained Elizabethton with 319 yards of total offense and 16 first downs, while the Cyclones managed 177 yards and 13 first downs. The Greene Devils rushed for 137 yards on 30 carries, compared to the Cyclones’ 63 yards on 32 carries. In the air, Baugh completed 7 of 8 passes for 122 yards and an interception, while Slagle was 11 of 19 for 114 yards with two interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Individual Statistics
- Passing — EHS: Slagle 11-19-2 114 TD; GHS: Baugh 7-8-1 122 TD.
- Rushing — EHS: Slagle 15-17, Ja. Wallin 8-24, Buckles 5-10, Mathes 3-12, Ju. Wallin 1-1; GHS: Quillin 18-137 3 TD, Baugh 12-60.
- Receiving — EHS: Z. Wallin 3-32 TD, Blevins 2-27, Mathes 2-15, Rowland 1-14, Buckles 1-10, Ju. Wallin 1-8, Ja. Wallin 1-8; GHS: Griffin 4-29, Anderson 3-93 TD.
- Sacks — GHS: Harris, Humphrey, Reyes.
- Interceptions — EHS: Ju. Wallin; GHS: Anderson, McGill.
Up Next in the TSSAA Blue Cross Football Championship Playoffs
The first round of the playoffs begins Friday, with both Greeneville and Elizabethton hosting home games. The Greene Devils will face Knoxville Carter at 7 p.m. in Greeneville, while the Cyclones will host Knoxville Fulton at 7 p.m., celebrating Homecoming 2024 after a postponement earlier in the season.
