Cyclones

Elizabethton Cylones Upholding the standard...

Cyclones preaching team and whatever it takes to win in 2022

BY IVAN SANDERS STAR CORRESPONDENT

The Elizabethton Cyclones still have a sour taste of unfinished business in their mouths after falling to Tullahoma in the 2021 Class 4A Blue Cross State Championship contest in Chattanooga to a tough Tullahoma team in double overtime.

Elizabethton entered that game

as the defending back-to back state champions in 2019 and 2020 and were looking to add the third title to their belts but fell short.

In 2022, Elizabethton head coach Shawn Witten said that the message that has been coming from him and his staff is to uphold the standard and not make it about individual accomplishments but about whatever it takes to win games as a team. Key differences

Witten made it clear that the new season is not about finding someone to fit the shoes of a cast of seniors that graduated in 2021 that has been a huge part for the success in the last four seasons.

“This season is not about replacing people - its about upholding the standard and not trying to play as an individual but as a team,” said Witten. “We have a certain formula and style of football that we play and you just have to be that guy. Where we have gotten to is its whatever it takes to win and its preaching team, team,

team, team, team.”

The head coach entering his 16th season at the helm of the program said there were a lot of games and a long season of football and that is why they were working to build depth.

There are going to be guys that become stars in the game however it all comes down to putting players into the right position for the team to win.

“It’s the next group’s time but we are not going to change the formula,” said Witten. “Tradition never graduates - everybody has to be ready.”

Cyclone Standouts

Cade Russell Dalton Mitchell

HEAD COACH: Shawn Witten COACHING STAFF: Brian Jenkins, Terry Moore, Terrence Turner, Jeff Pierce, Matt Campbell, Devin Whitehead, Michael Grindstaff, Jordy Harrison and David Campbell

Shawn Witten Nate Stephens Eli Williams

Quarterback Focus

Favorite quarterback - Tom Brady I have always tried to model my game after Tom Brady. He has always been one of my biggest role models. I have been watching him my whole life.

First touchdown pass It was a great feeling throwing that touchdown at Sullivan East. It was the start of something special for me.

What to improve on I want to make sure that I am getting the ball to all of my team and doing what is best for my team.

Toughest defense to face in 2022 Science Hill and Greeneville both run really good defenses. They will both provide a big challenge.

Gib Maupin

Goal for 2022 season There are big shoes to fill. I just want to do whatever it takes to help my team win.

Elizabethton Cyclones

Biggest strengths

The first part of the formula that the Cyclone coaching staff added to their equation began in the weight room leading up to the first state championship.

“The guys have worked hard with their attendance and sense of urgency and the desire to be here have been top notch,” said Witten. “Our attendance has been staggering as it approached almost 100 percent of the guys who wanted to be involved. We do have great size and senior leadership.”

Witten referred to the next group of players as the “unsung heroes” who have had to do the dirty work to help their predecessors reach the apex in high school football.

“Our program is built around the motto of our town - it’s about being blue collar, it’s about discipline, and it’s about accountability and doing what’s best for our team.”

What are the challenges

The biggest challenge for the Cyclones will be trying to sell the players that the coaching staff is not looking for 25 superstars, but is looking for players who will strive to win the next play.

“We don’t need 25 Supermen,” said Witten. “We want guys wanting to communicate and be able to rely on each other. The season can be about a lot of things but at the start it can’t be about playing as an individual.” Who are the key opponents

It isn’t hard to not go up and down the 2022 schedule and see a hefty amount of teams that seem to show success year after year. It begins with Science Hill, Boone, Greenville, and Anderson County. As a matter of fact every game is key because whatever is or isn’t accomplished in each and every game can come back to haunt you when it gets to post-season play.

“We want to be the toughest team while upholding the standard,” said Witten. “Everybody is sick and tired of the orange and black Cyclones. We have to be disciplined in all of our games because competition makes great football teams and football players.”

Key players - Offense

Witten said that a team is only good as it’s supporting cast and on offense five names quickly came to mind.

“Senior Cade Russell will be in our backfield and he is as tough as it gets,” said Witten. “Another senior, Nate Stephens will be playing receiver and running back. I have seen the best version of Nate this season that I have ever saw. Teddy Orton is a senior wide receiver who has worked really hard and senior Dalton Mitchell - regardless of where he has played - has accepted his role. These guys have been there and saw that.

“Defensively, Eli Williams will play a large role on our defense as will Mason Ball who the other team will have to keep an eye on where he’s lining up. And Bradley Cannon is the ‘Papa Bear’ bringing the most experience to our defensive line.”

Cyclones 2021 Results

Date Opponent Result Fri Aug. 20 7:00 PM #13 Science Hill N at East Tennessee State, Johnson City, TN W 34-15 Fri Sep. 3 7:00 PM #4 Greeneville R L 12-42 Fri Sep. 10 7:30 PM #17 Daniel Boone W 20-13 Fri Sep. 17 7:00 PM at Grainger R W 56-0 Fri Sep. 24 7:30 PM #20 Anderson County W 27-7 Fri Oct. 1 7:00 PM at Sullivan East R W 49-0 Fri Oct. 8 7:30 PM #3 Rhea County W 41-21 Fri Oct. 15 7:00 PM at #21 Volunteer R W 49-12 Fri Oct. 29 7:00 PM at Seymour R W 56-8 Fri Nov. 5 7:00 PM #14 Carter Class 4A State Playoffs First Round W 47-14 Fri Nov. 12 7:00 PM at #20 Anderson County Class 4A State Playoffs 2nd Round W 45-7 Fri Nov. 19 7:00 PM at #4 Greeneville Class 4A State Quarterfinal W 13-7 Fri Nov. 26 7:00 PM #6 Upperman Class 4A State Semifinal W 23-6 Sat Dec. 4 11:00 AM #1 Tullahoma N Class 4A State Championship (2 OT) at Finley Stadium, Chattanooga L 14-21 Overall Record: 12-2 Region Record: 4-1

# NAME POSITION CLASS # NAME POSITION CLASS

4 Cam Baker

WR/OLB JR 5 Cade Russell RB/DB SR 6 Jesse Whitehead WR/DB JR 7 Zeth Mullins RB/OLB JR 8 Rhett Slagle QB/DB FR 9 Jeriah Griffin ATH SO 11 Eli Blevins WR/DB JR 12 Gib Maupin QB JR 13 Bryson Rowland WR/DB SO 14 Alex Riddle WR/DB JR 15 Luke Whaley WR/DB JR 16 Eli Williams MLB SR 17 Justin Whitehead WR/DB FR 18 Dalton Mitchell ATH SR 19 Teddy Orton WR/DB SR 20 Zach Wallin WR/DB FR 21 Nate Stephens ATH SR 23 Jack Blevins WR/DB FR 24 Landry Buckles OLB SO 25 Mason Williams PK SR 26 Billy Woodby MLB SO 27 Kaleb Holzer RB/OLB JR 28 Justius Wallin TE/HB FR 29 Colin Nidiffer PK SR 30 Sean Smithdeal PK SR 31 Travis Smalls OLB JR 32 Andrew Blevins DL JR 33 Markel Chappell DL JR 34 Jon Siepert OLB JR 35 Josiah Byrd DL FR 36 Xavier Smalls DL JR 37 Wesley Taylor OLB SO 40 Jaiden Wallin (J BIRD) RB/LB FR 41 Hunter Franklin TE/DL JR 44 Ben Adams TE/DL SO 46 Maddox Tressler OLB JR 47 Wesley Shankles LB SR 48 Kyler Hartley

DL 50 Seth Campbell OL

FR SO 51 Kyron Smalls OL SO 52 Colton Killion OL/DL FR 53 Bailey Cannon OL/DL FR 54 Wyatt Pitsenbarger OL JR 55 JC Andes DL SO 56 Jacob Whitaker OL SR 57 Brock Stewart DL SO 58 Andrew White OL JR 59 Braydon Rainwater OL/DL FR 60 Cooper Adkins OL FR 61 Big Jaevin Morefield OL SO 62 Gavin Kodak OL/DL SO 63 Eli Guess DL JR 67 Landon Hughes DL JR 68 Corey Greene OL JR 70 Dylan McDuffie OL SR 71 Carter Muncey OL SO 72 Alexander Mora OL FR 74 Carter Green OL FR 76 Aiden McCourry OL FR 77 Caiden Draine OL SR 78 Sam Bowers OL SR 79 Josh Hayes OL JR 80 Brad Cannon TE/DL SR 81 Riley Jones TE FR 82 Mason Ball LB JR 83 Brock Shelby WR/DB FR 84 Tucker Taylor WR/DB FR 85 Logan Campbell WR/DB SO 86 Cruz Stout WR/DB FR 87 Peyton Wallin LB SO 88 Blaine Tolley TE SO 89 Adam Manning TE/DL FR 92 Andrew Vance DL SO

Cyclone Varsity Cheerleaders

Front Row: Xandi Crockett, Rebekah Hardin, Maely Ingram, Haley Stresemann and Lindy Simerly Back Row: (Stormi) Emily Little, Bethany Wellnitz, Grace Whaley, Hope Shelby, Madison Holly, Kyleigh Elliott, Rheagan Haynes, Mallory Grindstaff and (Tuffy) Cayden Treadway.

Cyclone JV Cheerleaders

Paige Shelby, Roman Shelby, Sophia McKeehan, Sophie Peterson, Olivia Fields, Taylor Whitson and Abbey Ferguson