After opening up the season against two 6A opponents and one 5A opponent, it was finally time for the Elizabethton Cyclones to begin conference play as they took on the Falcons of Volunteer Friday night. The Cyclones would roll to the win, putting up a season high point total in the 31-21 victory.

Betsy would waste no time jumping out in front, as a long opening drive ended with quarterback Rhett Slagle calling his own number for the score.

After a three and out by the Volunteer offense on their first possession, the punt would be blocked by William Mcduffie, recovered by C.J. Mathes and taken back for a touchdown to make it 14-0 midway through the first.

Jumping ahead to the second quarter of play, Slagle would find his way into the end zone yet again from one yard out, increasing the Elizabethton advantage to that of 21-0.

The Falcons would finally get things going later on in the quarter, as their next possession resulted in a long touchdown run by Owen Fleenor. This score cut the Cyclone lead to 21-7 as both teams headed into the halftime break.

After a slow start to the second half, the first play of the fourth period saw the Cyclones score once more, this time through the air as Slagle dumped it off to Zack Wallin on a screen pass from 17 yards out to make it a 28-7 advantage. 

On their next possession, trying to mount a comeback, a huge gain for the Falcons would result in a turnover when Calyx Dougherty punched the ball out, allowing Wallin to recover it.

The subsequent drive would result in three more for Elizabethton, as Will Bowers would sink the kick from 24 yards out to make it 31-7.

But the Falcons weren't done yet, as a Fleenor touchdown would be followed by a passing score from Lincoln Wilson.

The Cyclones would survive the late-game scare, winning by a final of 31-21.

Slagle finished the contest 22-for-25 with 243 yards through the air, one passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns. Wallin hauled in 13 passes for 157 yards in the win.

With the win, head football coach Shawn Witten tied his grandfather, the legendary Dave Rider for all-time wins in Elizabethton Football history at 173.

The Cyclones improve to 3-1 on the year, and are 1-0 in conference play following Friday night's contest. They will travel to Cherokee High School next Friday to take on the Chiefs in another Region 1-4A bout.