B

While Friday night’s game between Morristown West and Elizabethton was cut short due to inclement weather, the contest between the Trojans and the Cyclones was sloppy even before the rain began to fall.

The Trojans were called for 17 penalties totaling 156 yards and that was more than enough for Elizabethton to take advantage of as the Cyclones led 20-7 when the game was called early in the fourth quarter.

With the loss, West fell to 1-1 on the season.

The Trojans were outgained 242-180 in the contest as penalties limited their ability to move the football.

Camren Richards led the way on the ground for West, running for 49 yards on six carries. On the Trojans lone touchdown drive in the third quarter, Richards bullied his way to the goal line before Malakhi Isom finished things off with a four-yard carry.

Under center, Isom was 9-14 for 82 yards and had four rushes for 10 yards and the touchdown. Isom’s main target was Jalen McCullough who had two grabs for 52 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Trojans played admirably as they contained a strong Elizabethton offense. Brodey Huskey, Landon Howard, Giovanni Chavez, Kaleb Miller, John Michael Rosen, Kyler McCullough and Jalen McCullough all led the charge for West.

It was the defense that set the tone early for the Trojans as Ian Carr jumped an Elizabethton pass on the Cyclones first drive of the game.

Then on Elizabethton’s second drive, the Cyclones drove deep into West territory but Bricyn Gudger acrobatically tipped a pass and Howard corralled it for the interception.

Penalties reared their ugly head later in the half as Zaylan Frias returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown only to see it come back for a block in the back. 

The West defense would hold for almost the entire half, however the Cyclones found the end zone with a little over two minutes remaining in the half to take a 7-0 lead into the locker room.

Disaster struck early for West in the second half as a pooch kick was recovered by Elizabethon to open the third quarter. The Cyclones needed just four plays to find the endzone and up their lead to 13-0.

However, the Trojans would not go away and marched right down the field thanks to 39 yards from Richards, 11 from Howard and four from Isom to finish things off and make it 13-7.

Needing a stop to grab all the momentum, the Trojans failed to do it as two personal foul penalties kept the drive alive. The drive ended with the Cyclones scoring from three yards out to make it 20-7.

Once again the kickoff was bad news for the Trojans as Zaylan Frias returned it to the 50-yard line but fumbled and Elizabethton recovered. The Cyclones were driving when the game was called.

Morristown West will be back in action next Friday as they open up Region 1-5A play at Tennessee High. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Stone Castle.

Scores of Interest

Cherokee, N.C. 47 – Cosby 6

Rye Cove, Va. 48 – Hancock 0

Lakeway Christian 27- Volunteer 7 (Called at the half)

David Crocket 28 – Cherokee 13