Science Hill ends streak with 35-14 win over Cyclones
Published 9:25 am Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Star Correspondent/Ivan Sanders Wide receiver Justin Whitehead makes a cut after a reception from quarterback Rhett Slagle.
Star Correspondent/Ivan Sanders Cyclone running back Landry Buckles is upended as he heads toward the end zone.
Star Correspondent/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton running back Justius Wallin finds the hole collapsing as he is met at the line of scrimmage.
Star Correspondent/Ivan Sanders Tuffy and Stormy are ready for a new season of football.
Star Correspondent/Ivan Sanders The Elizabethton Cyclone cheerleaders are pepped and ready to cheer on their team against Science Hill.
Star Correspondent/Ivan Sanders Cyclone defender Riley Jones puts pressure on quarterback Spencer Taylor (11).
Star Correspondent/Ivan Sanders Cyclone defensive lineman Landon Hughes lays a pop on Science Hill running back Ian Mathes.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
There was a lot on the line in the season’s opening game at Citizens Bank Stadium as the Elizabethton Cyclones and Science Hill Hilltoppers prepared to kick off their 2024 season before a massive, standing-room-only crowd. The game was also featured as the regional game of the week on WCYB’s Friday Night Rivals in the 100th meeting between the two schools.
When the dust finally settled, the visiting Hilltoppers came out on top, ending a four-year skid against the Cyclones with a 35-14 win.
Science Hill jumps out front to open the first quarter
The first quarter was a feeling-out period for both teams, as each team’s defense took turns stymying their opposition’s offensive efforts.
Elizabethton was forced to punt on fourth down, and the punt was downed at the Science Hill 1-yard line. The Cyclones were looking to force a safety with the ‘Toppers backed up against the wall, but quarterback Baylor Necessary spoiled that plan, bouncing to the outside of the Cyclone defense and racing untouched down the sideline for a 99-yard touchdown run.
Carter Lockman booted the point-after attempt, and Science Hill took an early 7-0 lead with 5:46 left in the quarter.
The first quarter ended with the same 7-0 score.
Referees need a refresher in math
Science Hill extended the lead midway through the second quarter when none of the officiating crew noticed that Science Hill was playing with an extra man. The advantage led to an easy 3-yard score for Necessary, who walked into the end zone.
Lockman was true again on the point-after, and the Hilltoppers upped their advantage to 14-0.
The Cyclones needed a score in a bad way and finally managed to knock the zero off their side of the scoreboard just before the half.
Justius Wallin, one of four running backs utilized by head coach Shawn Witten in the Cyclone backfield during the game, plunged in from 2 yards out with 1:55 remaining before the half.
Will Bowers blasted the football through the uprights, shaving the lead down to seven as the halftime scoreboard read 14-7.
Going to their power game
Science Hill took the second-half kickoff, and it was evident what Coach Stacy Carter’s game plan was: put the football in the hands of his quarterback. Necessary alternated running the football around the end behind his big line, moving the Hilltoppers into prime scoring position.
Nalique Anderson finished the quick drive with a 3-yard score, putting the ‘Toppers in the driver’s seat at 21-7 after Lockman’s kick.
With the momentum now on their side, the Science Hill defense stood strong against the Cyclones, forcing stop after stop. The ‘Toppers defense put the football back in the hands of the offense late in the quarter for the final nail.
Necessary finished off the drive with a 13-yard score with 1:07 left in the third quarter, letting the last remaining air out of the Cyclones’ sails as Science Hill took a 28-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
Finishing it off
Aiden Perry added the ‘Toppers’ final score of the evening less than three minutes into the fourth quarter on a 13-yard scamper, with Lockman staying perfect on the PAT to make it 35-7.
J-Bird Wallin closed out the scoring with a 4-yard run with under two minutes left to play, and Bowers converted the PAT to add the final points to the Cyclones’ side of the board.
Witten pleased with effort
“I thought our effort was good, and we had some opportunities early,” Cyclone head coach Shawn Witten said. “We averaged four yards a carry, and I thought our offensive line played well—we just didn’t capitalize.
“We ran four backs, with each bringing something different. I just thought their depth and physicality in the third quarter was the difference, as we were where we needed to be at 14-7 at the end of the first half.”
Morristown West coming to town
Friday night, the Cyclones prepare for their second tough game of the young season as Region 1-5A Morristown West comes to Citizens Bank Stadium. The Trojans, like the Cyclones, dropped their opening game last Friday, falling to cross-town foe Morristown East.
Fans will remember last season’s matchup, where the Cyclones had to go on the road to Morristown. After a physical game that got testy late, a heavy rainstorm forced the game to be called in the late going, and Elizabethton earned the tough win.
“Morristown West has 28 seniors this season, which is a lot,” Witten said. “This is a big game for both teams, as each will be looking for their first win.
“They are big and tough, and they played really well last year.”
Both teams will be looking to put last week in the rearview mirror and be ready to secure their first win of the season.
One player looking forward to the game is running back J-Bird Wallin, who lost his entire 2023 season due to an injury received in the West game last season.
There may be a few extra scoops of coal shoveled into the burners as the ‘J-Train’ looks to mete out a little payback.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
