Cyclones riding blue collar approach in hopes of deeper playoff run

Two decades and two state championships later, Shawn Witten's approach is still largely the same. As long as Elizabethton has a reliable ground game, the Cyclones are set to contend for championships. Good news in that regard, as Elizabethton returns its top two rushers from the 2025 season. This fall, the Cyclones look to advance past the second round of the 4A playoffs for the first time since their 2021 run to the BlueCross Bowl. Both of the aforementioned running backs are seniors — C.J. Mathes and William McDuffie. Mathes gained 416 yards with six touchdowns on 89 carries in 2025, while McDuffie averaged 8.5 yards per carry with 279 yards and four TDs. Expect to see sophomore Legend Pate tote the pigskin too, having already done so his freshman year. "Our workhorses," Witten said. "They're blue collar type running backs. And we'll need that during the season." Indeed, a solid ground game should ease the transition of senior transfer Peyton Lingerfelt to the quarterback position. Lingerfelt led Northeast Tennessee each of the last two seasons in passing yards — throwing for 2,001 as a sophomore and 2,314 his junior season at Sullivan East. Naturally, Elizabethton's offense isn't quite the air raid Lingerfelt had grown accustomed to. But his impact on and off the field will be critical to Elizabethton's success this fall. "Peyton's played in a lot of big games and got some experience," Witten said. "We've had our fair share of guys come in. With that, you're getting a lot of guys who are going to be rising seniors, so how quickly can they adapt to your program? I told those new guys we're not interested in making friends. We're interested in being really really good teammates. We have enough friends, so how much can you make an impact and help us win?" Among the transfers is former Johnson County quarterback Johnathan Lisi, who threw for 890 yards while rushing for 349 and a team-high seven touchdowns in 2025. Devin Bowman, a senior who also transferred from Sullivan East, will help reload the Cyclones' receiving corps after catching 48 passes for 628 yards last season. Senior Braylon Britt is the top returning receiver for the Cyclones, coming off an 11-catch, 128-yard season. Nolan Loveday and Lennox Loveday, along with fellow junior Riley Greer and sophomore Conner Kent will help anchor the line along with tackle Tyson Hughes and guard Brendon Orellana — both juniors. Calyx Dougherty, another junior, is the Cyclones' top returning tackler. On the defensive line, he made 43 stops with three for loss his sophomore year. Naturally, the Cyclones will be need to fill three voids left by the graduation of the Wallin cousins — Zack, Justius and Jaiden. Mathes, McDuffie and Pate are all projected to see time at linebacker, Mathes having logged two sacks in 36 tackles last season. Witten also noted Carter Reese, who's largely focused on baseball during his prep career, will join the linebacking corps this fall. Senior Sammy Orsburn, as well as sophomores Ryan Ribeiro and Connor Lim are all expected to play along the front seven. Of course, one of the Cyclones' top weapons doesn't play at a skill position. Not even the trenches. Senior kicker Will Bowers enters his senior year having already committed to Iowa State. "Will is incredible," Witten said. "If we can score some points, he's really going to be a weapon because he's not going to kick it to the end zone; he's going to kick it out of the end zone. I don't know if there's a kicker out there who works as hard as Will. He's changed his body, changed his physique … that's a credit to him and his parents. He comes from a great family. To have that opportunity, it's awesome." In 62 kickoffs, Bowers logged 58 touchbacks last fall while making 42-of-45 extra points and 7-of-12 field goals with a long of 42 yards. The more time he spends on the field, the more likely Betsy has the upper hand.