Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com
Last Friday night proved to be fruitful for the Cloudland Highlanders as they traveled to Stoney Creek to face off against inter-county foe Unaka, putting on an excellent offensive display as they rolled to a 54-22 win.

The victory over the Rangers kept Cloudland unblemished in the loss column, giving them a 2-0 status heading into the third week of the campaign. However this week the Highlanders will be on the road again, this time trekking past Knoxville to square off against a talented Rockwood team.

Head coach of the Cloudland Highlanders Zac Benfield spoke about this week’s matchup and how last week helped his team out going forward, saying, “Last week’s win over Unaka really helped build confidence in our guys. Our kids are starting to understand that the things they are doing in practice is starting to pay off when they play on Friday nights.”

As previously mentioned, Benfield’s team is a perfect 2-0 thus far in the season, and having momentum can turn the tides of future games. However, Benfield believes that his kids had a strong mindset before the season even started.

“Even before we played our first game against Jellico, we were confident that if we came to work every day we would continue to improve. However, I do know that anytime you can see your hard work pay off on the scoreboard, it is going to lift anyone’s spirits.”

Rockwood comes into this week after suffering a one-point loss to Sweetwater, while Cloudland has had two big wins in back-to-back weeks. And while things are looking good for the Highlanders, Benfield says that it could prove to be a disadvantage.

“Rockwood just suffered a devastating loss, so I can guarantee that they are going to come into this one ready, motivated, and ready to rock some heads. On our end, I have been preaching to the guys that we cannot get complacent and that we have to continue to get better each week.”

A game to look forward to no doubt, kickoff between the Highlanders and the Tigers is set for 7:30 pm on Friday at Rockwood High School in Rockwood.