After a sluggish first half, Elizabethton bounced back with a vengeance.
The Cyclones pulled away in the second half to take a 42-13 victory over Sullivan South on Friday in Kingsport.
With the win, EHS improved to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in region play, and will clinch a home playoff game with a win over Sullivan Central next Friday night.
The Rebels came out of the gate with some trickery again the Cyclones as South recovered an onside kick to open the game. Luke Pollack took advantage with a nine-yard touchdown to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead.
Elizabethton wasted no time in striking back as Carter Everett found Corey Russell for a 20-yard touchdown pass to tie things up at 7-7. After the Cyclone defense forced South off the field, EHS saw Bryson Rollins scored on a short touchdown run to give EHS a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
On the ensuing drive, South marched methodically down the field advancing inside the EHS five-yard line, but penalties thwarted the drive without points. EHS, who was limited to just over a minute of possession time in the second quarter, was unable to get back on the board as they took a 14-7 lead into the locker room.
Elizabethton left no doubt in the second half.
Russell broke onto the board with a. 46-yard touchdown, and Parker Hughes caught an Everett pass from 24 yards out to give EHS a 28-7 lead. The senior Russell took advantage of an interception and scored on a short run to give EHS a 35-7 lead going to the final quarter.
Austin Outland wrapped up the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Everett was 12-of-17 for 198 yards passing, while Outland added 106 yards rushing on six carries.
The Cyclones are set to host Sullivan Central next Friday to wrap up the regular season.
