CLINTON — Despite trailing by 14 after a dismal offensive first half, Elizabethton managed to give itself opportunity after opportunity against Anderson County with the game on the line. The Cyclones simply struggled to convert.
With pivotal red-zone defensive stops and a 195-yard, three-touchdown effort from quarterback Zae Hall, the defending state champion Mavericks turned back the Cyclones, 21-7, in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.
The Mavericks (8-4) advance to face Greeneville in a quarterfinal rematch, while Elizabethton's season ends at 8-2.
“We made a few adjustments in the second half, got the ball and had great field position,” said Elizabethton coach Shawn Witten. “We had opportunities to score, we just made too many mistakes. Like always, we tend to spot teams some points and then outplay them the rest of the game.
“I’m super proud of our effort. We fought our tails off and gave ourselves a chance to win and that’s all that matters.”
Elizabethton was held to its lowest first-half yardage of the season (65) while the Mavericks took advantage of broken coverage on its two second-quarter scores.
Hall, who completed 11 of 19 with a second-half interception, ignited the Anderson County offense with a 47-yard strike to Trent Strickland. He later landed a six-yard toss to an open Xavian James for the first points.
The following Cyclone possession was plagued by consecutive sacks from Eli Nelson and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that helped place the Mavericks in solid field position. A scrambling Hall evaded an Elizabethton sack and caught an open Daylen Cole from 17 yards out to make it 14-0 at the midpoint.
“It’s just one or two plays that kill ya,” said Witten. “(Hall) scrambled and made some plays with his feet and found some open zones.”
The Cyclones woke up in the third quarter, delivering three consecutive defensive stops to begin the half. Offensively, despite the good field position and surge of momentum, Elizabethton twice fell short deep in Maverick territory.
The third time was the charm. After forcing a short-field punt, Rhett Slagle connected with Cam Baker and Jeriah Griffin to set up a fourth-down, four-yard rushing score from Zeth Mullins.
The momentum was short lived. On the third play of the next Mavericks drive, Hall once again evaded a sack and found an open Cole who rumbled 72 yards untouched to paydirt.
The Cyclones had three more opportunities to produce points, but were plagued by an interception and lastly a stalled drive at the Anderson County 10.
“We left some points down there,” said Witten.
Slagle finished with 242 yards on 19 of 38 passing with two interceptions. Jeriah Griffin led all Cyclone receivers with eight catches for 95 yards. Defensively, Luke Whaley reeled in Elizabethton’s lone defensive turnover with an interception.
Cole finished with 101 yards on three catches with two scores, adding both of Anderson County’s interceptions on the defensive side. The Mavericks also combined for four sacks on the night.
Added Witten: “It’s disappointing to come down here again and leave in the second round, but it’s been a great season. We thought we could pull it out in the end, it just didn’t go our way.”
Greeneville 42, Gibbs 0
GREENEVILLE — Carson Quillen rushed for 209 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries as the Greene Devils grounded the Eagles.
Caden Baugh had 87 yards and a touchdown on 4-of-5 passing and rushed for 74 yards on nine carries. Quillen also had 45 yards and a touchdown on three catches. Jude Dyer busted loose on a 55-yard run for the game’s final score. Overall, Greeneville piled up 466 yards of offense.
Warren Axton finished with 134 passing yards and three interceptions for Gibbs.
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