‘Topper stoppers… Cyclones put together a complete game in defeating ‘Toppers, 28-20
Published 9:29 pm Saturday, August 24, 2019
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton receiver Parker Hughes set sail toward the end zone before being chased down from behind by Science Hill's Joshua Santiago after a 58-yard reception.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders E-town was well represented as the visitor stands were packed out well before kickoff.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone running back Cade Maupin looks for an open running lane in Friday's game against Science Hill.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone defensive back Zach C. Hartley upends 'Toppers running back Chris Thomas in 'Betsy's big win over the 'Toppers, 28-20.
Star Photo/ Ivan Sanders Cyclone receiver Braden Holly fights for extra yards after a reception.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
JOHNSON CITY- The Elizabethton and Science Hill football game is one of the premier Week 1 openers in Northeast Tennessee as the two neighboring cities draw one of the largest crowds to kick off their new season.
Elizabethton traveled to Kermit Tipton Stadium on Friday night looking to make it back-to-back victories after winning a nail-biting finish last year at Citizens Bank Stadium to break a long losing drought.
The Cyclones showed the ‘Toppers they meant business early running out to an early 14-0 lead and then fended off the Science Hill down the stretch to take a 28-20 win.
Elizabethton set the tone on their first drive of the night taking the ball 80 yards in 15 plays while burning off seven minutes of the first quarter.
Bryson Rollins capped the drive with a two-yard dash into the end zone with Jaxton Holly blasting the point-after attempt to make it 7-0.
Science Hill tried to answer but former Elizabethton Cyclone Kade Hensley missed a 46-yard field goal attempt to give the Cyclones the ball back on their own 20-yard line.
Once again Elizabethton showed the type of team they are going to be this season running behind a big, strong line as Dobyns-Bennett transfer Cade Maupin made his presence known in a big way in the white and orange as he rambled 41 yards to pay dirt just two minutes into the second quarter.
Holly’s boot was perfect and the Cyclones had the crowd from Elizabethton rocking taking the 14-0 lead.
After a targeting penalty set the ‘Toppers up in good position on the ensuing kickoff, the ‘Toppers went to their bread and butter Chris Thomas as Thomas put his team on his shoulders toting the pigskin in from five yards out to get Science Hill on the board as Hensley kicked the PAT to make it 14-7.
The ‘Toppers added one more score before the break on a Hensley 39-yard field goal to make it a 14-10 game at intermission.
Science Hill received the opening second-half kickoff and appeared to be marching for a go-ahead score until Maupin made an incredible one-handed interception on a Connor Batchelder pass that had a touchdown written all over it.
The Cyclones made good on the possession with the big play coming when Rollins hit wide receiver Parker Hughes on a 58-yard bomb that took the ball to the ‘Topper 11-yard line.
On third and ten, Rollins rifled a bullet into the end zone that somehow Jake Roberts managed to snag between two ‘Topper defenders for the score. Holly remained perfect on PAT’s as the Cyclones now led 21-10.
Hensley connected once again on the ‘Toppers drive following the score, this time from 30 yards making it a 21-13 game with 2:31 left in the third quarter.
The Cyclones got the breathing room they needed with 6:06 left in the contest when Rollins who had been fighting cramps during the game somehow willed himself into the end zone on a 32-yard run to make it 28-13 after Holly’s PAT.
Science Hill did manage to add one more token score with 2:24 remaining on a 15-yard scoring pass from Batchelder to Cole Torbett. Hensley’s boot made it 28-20.
The ‘Toppers had one last chance if they could get an on-side kick but Hensley kicked the ball out of bounds and the Cyclones ran the clock out for the huge opening-season win on the ‘Toppers home field.
“The guys stepped up and made plays and we made some adjustments and our guys hung in there and fought hard at the end,” said Cyclone head coach Shawn Witten. “They all stepped up and made plays when we needed it.
“Just a tremendous effort by our coaches and our players. We have worked hard for the last 30 days getting ready for this game.
“We kept them off balance all night with Bryson and Cade and they did a good job the whole game working together. This is one of the biggest victories in 13 years, especially over here at this place.”
The Cyclones take next week off before traveling to Bluff City to take on Sullivan East.
