It was an exhilarating atmosphere at Citizens Bank Stadium on Friday night as the Elizabethton Cyclones welcomed the West Ridge Wolves for their home opener. In a game that went down to the wire, the Cyclones held off a late Wolves comeback to secure a 21-19 victory.
Fast Start for the Cyclones
The Elizabethton offense wasted no time setting the tone. Quarterback Rhett Slagle connected with Zack Wallin multiple times through the air on the opening drive before finding Justin Whitehead from 12 yards out for the game's first score.
After back-to-back defensive stops—including a forced fumble and a blocked field goal—the Cyclones struck again. This time, Slagle scored on the ground, punching it in from a yard out to make it 14-0.
Wolves Battle Back
West Ridge refused to go away quietly. Quarterback Justice Hilton broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run late in the first half, though the extra point attempt was blocked, sending the teams into halftime with Betsy up 14-6.
The Wolves kept the pressure on in the third quarter as running back Ethan Amyx found the end zone from 18 yards out. A failed two-point attempt kept the score at 14-12.
Betsy Answers Back
With momentum shifting, the Cyclones responded immediately. The Slagle to Whitehead connection came through again, this time from 19 yards out to push the lead back out to 21-12.
West Ridge mounted one last push in the fourth quarter. After another long run by Hilton, Amyx capped the drive with a short three-yard touchdown. The Wolves trailed just 21-19, but the Cyclones' special teams stepped up once more, as Cooper Green pounced on the onside kick to seal the win.
By the Numbers
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Slagle: 16-of-24 passing, 205 yards, 2 TDs (1 rush TD).
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Wallin: 7 receptions, 128 yards.
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Whitehead: 53 yards receiving, 2 TDs.
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Cyclone Defense: 1 forced fumble, 3 interceptions, 1 blocked FG, 1 blocked PAT.
What's Next
Elizabethton (2-1) now turns its focus to conference play. The Cyclones will travel to Church Hill next Friday to take on the Volunteer Falcons. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM.
