Second-half surge carries Cyclones past upset-minded Falcons
Published 6:27 pm Monday, November 11, 2024
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclone running back Justius Wallin follows his blocking for a big gain in Friday night’s first-round win over Knox Fulton.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent A young Cyclone cheerleader celebrates as Elizabethton comes back for a big win over the Falcons.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent J-Bird Wallin powers forward for a big gain early in Friday’s game against Knox Fulton.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Justius Wallin makes key plays on both offense and defense, leading the Cyclones to a first-round win over Knox Fulton.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton’s Justius Wallin tackles Fulton quarterback Javon Moulden for a loss.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclone quarterback Rhett Slagle picks up a couple of tough yards on the ground.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclone defensive end Kyron Smalls forces a fumble from Fulton quarterback Javon Moulden.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent The Betsy Band, fresh off a state championship, shows strong support for the Cyclones in their comeback victory.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent J-Bird Wallin powers down the field as the Cyclones’ running game keys their comeback win over Fulton.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Rhett Slagle attempts to gain the outside edge against the Fulton defense.
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Star Correspondent
A new season began Friday night at Citizens Bank Stadium as the first round of the 2024 TSSAA Class 4-A BlueCross Bowl Championships kicked off statewide.
In Class 4-A action, Elizabethton hosted the Knox Fulton Falcons, with one team aiming to extend its season and the other facing the end until 2025. The Falcons gave the Cyclones all they could handle, but Elizabethton pulled out a narrow 14-13 victory to advance to Friday’s second-round contest against Anderson County in Clinton.
First-Half Defensive Battle
Both teams were evenly matched in the first half, with neither able to gain much ground as defenses dominated. Cyclone quarterback Rhett Slagle struggled under pressure from the quick Falcons defense, while Fulton’s senior quarterback Javon Moulden missed on key passes.
Falcons Gain Control in Third Quarter
The Falcons took the lead early in the third quarter with a 65-yard touchdown run by Albert Johnson and a successful PAT, putting them up 7-0. Later, a 35-yard scoring pass from Derrick Smith to Travis Ballenger extended the Falcons’ lead to 13-0 after a missed PAT.
The Cyclones responded with a spark from Kyron Smalls on the kickoff return, setting up a scoring drive fueled by running backs J-Bird Wallin and Justius Wallin. Justius scored on a seven-yard run, and Will Bowers’ PAT closed the gap to 13-7.
Cyclones Rally in Fourth Quarter
In the fourth quarter, the Cyclones’ ground game wore down the Falcons’ defense. Justius Wallin scored again with 7:47 remaining, and Bowers’ extra point gave Elizabethton its first lead of the game. The Cyclone defense then held strong to secure the 14-13 win.
By the Numbers
The game was as close statistically as it was on the scoreboard, with the Cyclones narrowly outgaining the Falcons 250-249 in total offense. Elizabethton’s running game made the difference, as they carried the ball 49 times for 220 yards.
Individual Statistics
PASSING — FHS: Moulden 7-15-1, 75 yds; Smith 1-1-0, 35 yds, TD; Womble 0-1-0, 0 yds. EHS: Slagle 5-7-0, 30 yds.
RUSHING — FHS: Johnson 12-111, TD; Womble 4-33; Lopez 1-2; Moulden 1-(-7). EHS: Ju. Wallin 17-110, 2 TDs; Ja. Wallin 11-68; Mathes 11-38; Slagle 9-2; Buckles 1-2.
RECEIVING — FHS: Johnson 3-29; Ballenger 2-38, TD; Smith 2-12; Womble 1-31. EHS: Z. Wallin 1-25; Blevins 1-3; Rowland 1-1; Whitehead 1-1; Smalls 1-0.
SACKS — FHS: Francis; EHS: Ju. Wallin.
INTERCEPTIONS — EHS: Rowland.
