BY DANNY BLEVINS

STAR CORRESPONDENT

After coming off their upset victory of Class 2-A Johnson County last Friday night, the Cloudland Highlanders hope to take their win streak to three in a row as they travel to Sullivan North tonight.

The Highlanders are looking to use this game as a tune-up before the Class A playoffs begin. They have already clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the first playoff game is only a week away as Cloudland will play on November 8 at Orr Field in Roan Mountain.

The Sullivan North Golden Raiders are hoping to get back in the win column after a close 21-14 loss to a winless Sullivan East Patriots team last Friday night.

They are 5-4 for the season with a 2-2 conference record. A loss to the Highlanders could take the life out of a team that is already down.

“Sullivan North did not lose to Sullivan East last week. They beat themselves because of the rain and the muddy field,” said Cloudland assistant coach Adam Bolling. “They will be ready for us and they would love nothing better than to get a win after last week.”

According to Coach Bolling, Cloudland will once again have to count on their offensive and defensive lines to make a difference in the game.

“We have to establish the run early, and we all have to do our jobs,” said Coach Bowling. “If we play our type of game, and each player does his job, we have a chance.”

“Sullivan North usually tries to run the ball, and they have some big beefy country boys up on their front lines,” continued Coach Bolling. “If we can’t stop their run, it could be a long night.”

Going against the line of the Raiders will be a Cloudland defense that held Johnson County scoreless.

“We have some big boys on our own line. It should be a good contest between our defense and their offense,” said Coach Bolling.

“If we play the way I know we can, and all of us do our jobs, we should hold our own with Sullivan North. Any team is beatable on any given night and this should be a good game for us to get ready for the playoffs.”

Cloudland has an undefeated record in the Region 1-A conference. They have a 4-5 overall record.

This record has come despite the team facing a great deal of adversity during this regular season. After losing their head coach half-way through the season, this team has dug deep and has come back to show their fans an entertaining offense and a crushing defense.

Sullivan North comes into the game with a ground and pound type of offense. They are led by their speedy backs who depend on their big beefy line to knock opponents out of their way and open holes for them to run through.

Cloudland will have to stop this and force Sullivan North to find another way to beat them.

Sullivan North will be playing in the Class 2-A playoffs on Friday, November 8, and they need a win against Cloudland to go into their own playoffs on a winning note.

The game time is 7:30 pm.