Mavericks dominate Cyclones
ACHS win sets up Greeneville showdown in football playoffs
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Anderson County receiver Trent Strickland (19) caught the Mavericks first touchdown of the night and Jackson Payne delivered the PAT to even the score with Elizabethton early in Friday night’s second round of the TSSAA playoffs. - Dwane Wilder
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Reece Russell (1) holds for Anderson County kicker Jackson Payne (20) for the PAT during Friday nights dominating win over Elizabethton. - Dwane Wilder
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Taylor Davis (0) pressures Elizabethton quarterback Rhett Slagle during Friday night’s home matchup. The stingy Mavericks defense stymied the Cyclones and held Elizabeth- ton to 14 points. - Dwane Wilder
Despite an early deficit Friday night, Anderson County High School rolled into the TSSAA Class 4A quarterfinals with a commanding 54-14 victory over Elizabethton in a second-round playoff game at ACHS.
Next, ACHS (10-1) will host longtime rival Greeneville in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Friday. The Greene Devils, who defeated Gibbs 48-10 to advance, ended the Mavericks’ season in the state quarterfinals last year.
As for Elizabethton, the Mavericks spotted the Cyclones (7-4) an early touchdown but responded by scoring 34 unanswered points in the first half, and never looked back.
Elizabethton opened the game with an 81-yard scoring drive, capped by C.J. Mathes’ 4-yard touchdown run. Will Bowers’ extra point gave the Cyclones a 7-0 lead with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter.
Anderson County wasted no time answering. Quarterback Landen Hensley connected with Trent Strickland on a touchdown pass, and Jackson Payne’s PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 6:40 left in the quarter.
The Mavericks’ defense quickly asserted dominance. Cody Miller and Taylor Davis sacked Cyclones quarterback Rhett Slagle, forcing a punt after a drive that lost 13 yards.
Anderson County took advantage as Waylon LaRue’s 4-yard touchdown run put the Mavericks ahead 14-7 with 3:28 left in the opening frame. On the next possession, Elizabethton fumbled deep in its own territory, and Israel Small recovered. Moments later, Strickland broke free for a 20-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 20-7.
LaRue, who had an 80-yard touchdown run nullified by a penalty early in the second quarter, remained determined. He scored another long touchdown with 7:10 left in the half, pushing the lead to 27-7.
Before halftime, the teams exchanged turnovers, with both Hensley and Slagle throwing interceptions. Shortly after Evan Pyatt intercepted Slagle, LaRue scored his fourth touchdown of the game, making it 34-7 at the break.
LaRue opened the second half with another highlight, an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. His score, part of a 181-yard, four-touchdown rushing performance on just nine carries, gave Anderson County a 41-7 lead and triggered the mercy rule.
The Mavericks’ defense added to the rout when Strickland intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. Payne’s extra point extended the lead to 48-7.
After Elizabethton managed a late score, LaRue capped off his stellar night with a kickoff return for a touchdown.
