Cyclones look to keep momentum going on road at Rhea Co.

Published 12:55 pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022

STAR CORRESPONDENT

The Elizabethton Cyclones looked like the Cyclones of the past three years last week in their homecoming contest against Sullivan East as the Cyclones blew open the contest in the first half scoring 49 points to take a 49-14 lead to the locker room. They won going away 55-27.

Now, the Cyclones (2-4, 2-1) turn their attention to the Rhea Co. Golden Eagles (1-5, 1-2)  and a three-hour bus trip in the final non-conference contest of the season.

Much like the Cyclones, the Golden Eagles have had a hard time in the first half of the season having lost to perennial state powerhouse Alcoa (38-21), McMinn County (43-14), and almost coming away with a win at Anderson Co. – a game in which they led before falling 41-38 to the Mavericks.

Rhea Co. also was defeated by Red Bank (7-3) and Walker Valley (25-14) while picking up their only win against Ooltewah (28-0) in Evensville.

There would be nothing better for Cyclone head coach Shawn Witten than to see his team continue their growth spurt since finally identifying their offensive identity after starting the season with a lackluster effort offensively that led to close losses to Science Hill, Greeneville, Boone, and at Anderson Co. where the offense produced but couldn’t hold off the late rally by the Mavericks.

Witten said Monday that he was happy with the way his team continues to grow and that each game this season has been a challenge as every team that has been on the schedule has been a very good team that is well coached.

Friday night the Cyclones will be seeing a unique formation from the Golden Eagles, who run a complex wing-T offensively that will require discipline and focus by the Cyclone defense.

The defense has been the bread and butter all year for the Cyclones giving the team an opportunity to win and now the offense is beginning to come to life over the last three games of the season.

Part of the reason for the resurgence is the running of seniors Nate Stephens and Cade Russell to go along with the passing of senior Dalton Mitchell and junior Gib Maupin.

This week’s game will more than likely hinge on the Cyclone’s defense as stopping the Golden Eagle’s running game as Witten and the team have spent the week watching game film to become more familiar with the offensive schemes.

Kickoff for the game is slated for 7:30 p.m.