A new conference and a new schedule will be an exciting year for the Cyclone football program.
As we get ready for the 2015 season, we take a look at the Cyclones’ schedule.
August 21- Open
With the TSSAA realignment, it made scheduling a tough assignment for coaches. The Cyclones will wait a week before kicking off the 2015 season as they will be of in Week 1. That sets the stage for 10 straight weeks for the Cyclones.
August 28- at Science Hill
Elizabethton will kick off the year in Week 2 with the short trip to take on the Hilltoppers. Science Hill is coming off a year that saw them advance to the Class 6A Quarterfinals before losing to Maryville. However, Head Coach Stacy Carter’s program has some big shoes to fill coming into this season.
September 4- Johnson County
Elizabethton will open Citizens-Bank Stadium in the third week of the regular season with longtime conference foe Johnson County. The Longhorns will continue to be region foes for the Cyclones, and Elizabethton holds a seven-game winning streak over Johnson County.
September 11- Daniel Boone
The Trailblazers will be the first nonconference opponent that Elizabethton welcomes to the new stadium when they make the short trip in Week 4. The date is a shift from the past few years where this was the season opener for both teams. Daniel Boone went 4-6 last season, after starting the year 4-1, and failed to make the playoffs.
September 18- at Unicoi County
Elizabethton will trek to Erwin for their first road conference game. The Blue Devils are coming off a winless season, but it wasn’t one without adversity as the program underwent the second head coaching change in under a year just after the start of the season. Current Head Coach Glen White took over and had the Blue Devils pointed in the right direction.
September 25- at Tennessee High
Elizabethton returns back to nonconference play with a trip to Tennessee High. Last season’s game proved to be a thriller as the Cyclones pulled away late. Elizabethton has won the matchup over the Class 5A school each of the past two years.
October 2- Pigeon Forge
A new face on the Elizabethton appears when Pigeon Forge comes to town. The Tigers will be a conference game for the Cyclones. Last season, Pigeon Forge went 8-4 in the regular season and advanced past West Greene in the first round of the 3A playoffs. The season came to a close at home against CAK.
October 9- at Claiborne County
The Cyclones will make a trip to visit the Bulldogs. Claiborne went 2-8 last season, including losing their last five games. It will be a conference game for both squads.
October 16- West Greene
The Buffaloes will make the trek from Mosheim to Elizabethton to kick off the final third of the season for the Cyclones. After a season-opening loss to Morristown West last season, West Greene reeled off six straight wins. However, the Buffaloes ended the season on a four-game losing streak, including a 49-6 loss to Pigeon Forge in the playoffs.
October 23- at Chucky-Doak
The final road trip of the regular season will be to the Black Hole to take on Chuckey-Doak. The Black Knights rolled to a 7-4 record last season, including a 42-6 in the opening round of the playoffs. It is the first year that the Cyclones and Black Knights have shared a conference.
October 29 (Thursday)- Northview Academy
Elizabethton will wrap up the regular season with a new team – literally. 2015 will be the first season that Northview will face a varsity schedule. The school, which is located in Kodak, had a freshman schedule and a middle-school schedule after opening last season. This game will be held on Thursday night.
