Highlanders dynamic duo lifts Cloudland past Hancock County, 30-6
Published 12:22 am Saturday, September 21, 2019
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Tristain Lacey
Hunter Blair
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton tight end Remington Tyree leaps over the feet of his teammate on his way to a big gain after a reception.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Seven-year old Phoenix Tipton was the honorary 'Betsy Band drum major leading the band into Citizens Bank Stadium Friday night.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone running back Cade Maupin uses a forearm to break free from a Grainger Co. defender.
BY AUSTIN ALEXANDER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
SNEEDVILLE- There are two ways you can play following a big loss. You can lay down and feel sorry for yourself, or you can pick yourself up and brush yourself off and keep fighting.
The latter was the attitude of the Cloudland Highlanders Friday as they traveled to Hancock County looking for a victory. The ground game was supreme as the Landers rolled to 30-6 victory.
Cloudland would receive the ball first and got started on the ground. After a couple of successful runs, the Indian defense tightened its grip on three straight poor plays from the Highlanders and Cloudland was forced to punt.
With the ball, Hancock County looked to spread the field and get their weapons going early, but their first drive was marred by a combined six penalties on just six plays.
Eventually, the Indians were forced to punt and Cloudland took over at their own 34.
Still tied after a possession a piece, Cloudland took advantage of their high caliber backfield tandem as Hunter Blair and Triston Lacy would take turns bashing into the Indian defense with multiple chunk plays.
A huge 27-yard run for Lacy would set up Blair for an 11-yard score on the next play. After a successful conversion, the Landers led 8-0.
Once again with the ball, Hancock County started to find some success as Devon Blevins would connect with Ethan Short for a 10 yard gain and the Indians looked to be gaining some momentum. Just as they started to get things rolling the Landers forced a fumble and the drive came crashing down.
Up by eight, the Landers took over and started a long 13-play drive that culminated in a fourth-down conversion as Lacy busted a 19-yard run for a score giving Cloudland what would become a 16-0 lead.
The drive was also highlighted by a hurdle from Lacy on a 14 yard pick up.
Searching for anything, Hancock County took back over, but a very stingy Lander defense showed up and they forced a three and out.
Lacy would return the punt 35 yards but a block in the back call negated it. Still yet, Cloudland looked to drive up two scores.
With not much time left in the first half, the Landers went to work in their two-minute offense. After driving 40 yards into the red zone, Hunter Shell would find Lacy for 16 yards and a score with only nine seconds left until halftime.
Out of the break, Hancock County would takeover trying to salvage a comeback down 22. They were met with the same stout defense as the first half, however, as they were pushed to yet another three and out.
The ensuing drive for the Landers looked like another scoring effort until Blevins of the Indians stepped in front of a pass and picked it off. Cloudland had built a nine-play drive up until that point.
Hancock County then embarked on their most successful drive of the game. The Indians would hit the ground and the air as Blevins found a couple of crucial completions.
The 15-play, seven-minute drive was capped off when Blevins found Ethan Short for the 15-yard gain and the touchdown on fourth down. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion the score was 22-6.
But it was too little too late for the Indians as Friday belonged to the Cloudland Highlanders. The Highlanders took back over and hit the ground over and over again milking the clock down as much as possible.
Lacy and Blair again took turns battering into the Indian defense as the Landers would also get Seth Birchfield involved.
Finally, Blair would cap off the run-fest with a 14-yard skirmish to the end zone. After a successful conversion, Cloudland led 30-6 and that was how it would finish.
The win gives the Landers some much-needed momentum as the season heads into the heart of its journey. Up next for Cloudland, a home affair with cross-state rival Avery County awaits them.
