Elizabethton was unable to complete a rally Friday night.
The Cyclones saw a late surge come up short in a 24-17 decision to Gibbs in the opening round of the TSSAA Class 3A playoffs inside Citizens Bank Stadium. With the loss, Elizabethton’s season comes to an end.
The Eagles struck first as Dajuan Harris scored on a 12-yard run to give Gibbs a 7-0 lead after a quarter of play.
William Bowers cut into the lead for Elizabethton early in the second with a 34-yard field goal.
Gibbs, however, countered as Keith Jones found Harris for a 56-yard touchdown. The Eagles took a 21-3 lead into the locker room at halftime as Tucker Ownby scored on a short run in the closing minute of the half.
The Cyclones battled back in the second half.
C.J. Mathes scored midway through the third quarter on a two-yard run as EHS trimmed the Eagle lead, but Gibbs added a 34-yard field goal to take a 24-10 lead into the final quarter.
EHS continued to battle and pulled within a possession with 2:11 to play as Brycen Blevins hit Mathes for a 29-yard touchdown.
The Cyclones, however, were unable to recover the ensuing onside kick as Gibbs was able to recover to secure the win.
Blevins was 13-of-19 for 165 yards for a touchdown.
Ownby led Gibbs with 129 yards on 31 carries as the Eagles finished with 221 rushing yards.
