Cloudland cruised to kick off the 2021 season.
The ‘Landers rolled past Jellico for a 42-7 victory over Jellico at Orr Field on Friday night.
With the win, Cloudland starts the season with a 1-0 mark overall and in Region 1-A play with a crucial game against Unaka on the schedule for next Friday night.
It was also the first win for Head Coach Zac Benfield in his head coaching debut.
Seth Birchfield had himself a night for the ‘Landers.
The running back scored on a short touchdown to open the scoring for the ‘Landers with 8:40 left in the first. Birchfield added another touchdown later in the quarter with Coy Laney adding the extra point.
After Skylar Hamby nabbed an interception for Cloudland, Birchfield found the endzone for the third time of the night. Austin Caraway added the two-point conversion to push the lead to 22-0.
Cloudland went to the air for their next score as Chase Shell hit Gage McKinney for a seven-yard score. Caleb Sluder pushed the lead to 30-0 with 6:22 left in the first half with the two-point conversion.
The ‘Landers found the scoreboard one more time before the half as Birchfield, who surpassed 200 yards rushing in the first half, escaped for a 98-yard touchdown as Cloudland took a 36-0 lead into the half.
After Jellico broke onto the scoreboard in the second half, Caraway found the endzone on a short run to cap the scoring for the Blue and Gold.
