The two-time defending Class 4A State Champions picked up where they left off.
Elizabethton pulled away for a 34-15 season-opening victory over Science Hill for the program’s 31st straight victory at ETSU on Friday night.
The win marked the fourth straight win over the Hilltoppers – meaning this year’s senior class has never lost to Science hill.
It was all Elizabethton early on.
The Cyclones reached into the bag of tricks as Cade Russell flipped the ball back to Bryson Rollins for the flea-flicker and Rollins found Jake Roberts at the goal line for a 47-yard touchdown.
On the next Elizabethton drive, the Cyclones pushed the lead to 14-0 after Rollins ran in for a short touchdown. That gave EHS a 14-0 lead after a quarter of play.
Science Hill, however, responded quickly during the second quarter.
The Hilltoppers got on the board with a four-yard touchdown run from Baylor Brock and then scored on a two-point conversion after a botched snap on the try.
Science Hill took the lead later in the quarter as Brock found the endzone again – this time from 58 yards out – as the Hilltoppers held a 15-14 advantage.
Elizabethton, however, wasn’t phased.
Rollins regained the lead for the Cyclones with a 57-yard touchdown run. In the closing seconds of the half, Roberts and Rollins connected for an 11-yard touchdown pass that gave EHS a 28-15 lead at the break.
The defenses settled down in the second half with Elizabethton continuing to keep Science Hill at bay.
The Cyclones left no doubt as Rollins found Roberts for a 16-yard touchdown pass that capped an 87-yard drive to cap the scoring.
Rollins was masterful as he finished for 209 passing yards on 13-of-19 passing, while also adding 83 yards on 11 carries.
Roberts had nine catches for 140 yards.
Russell tallied 20 carries for 96 yards. As a team, the Cyclones outgained the Hilltoppers 402-274.
Elizabethton kicks off the home portion of the 2021 schedule next Friday as Rhea County visits Citizens Bank Stadium.
A celebration for the Cyclones tonight against Science Hill. pic.twitter.com/wuziCL96cC
— Carter County Sports (@CarterCoSports) August 21, 2021
For more photos, click here.
