The Upperman Bees’ 2021 football season came to an end in a 23-6 loss against the Elizabethton Cyclones on Friday night in the semifinal round of the postseason.
The Bees were unable to overcome three turnovers and a slow start against the two-time defending Class 4A state champions.
The Cyclones opened the game by marching down the field before the UHS defense forced a field goal. The ensuing kickoff took an awkward hop and the Cyclones recovered to regain possession. Two plays later they scored on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Bryson Rollins to Jake Roberts to take a 10-0 lead with 4:52 remaining in the first quarter.
The typically run-heavy Bees tried to establish a passing game on their first offensive drive, and the Cyclones capitalized as Roberts intercepted a pass by Ty Dutchess. The Cyclones then marched down the field on another drive capped by a seven-yard touchdown rush to take a 16-0 lead.
The Bees, who dominated second halves throughout the season, moved the ball in the second half. Dutchess delivered the biggest offensive play of the game for the Bees when he scrambled for a long run, but the Cyclones punched the ball out at the end of the play to regain possession.
The UHS defense then got a stop and Dutchess continued to run the ball effectively, getting on the board with a 31-yard touchdown rush to cut the deficit to 16-6 with 2:31 remaining in the third.
The Bees were unable to sustain any more drives as EHS capped the win with a touchdown rush late in the fourth quarter to secure a trip to the BlueCross Bowl.
Dutchess rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in his final high school game. He went 4-13 through the air for 20 yards and an interception. Terrance Dedmon and Jaxson Rollins combined for 42 yards on 16 carries.
The loss ended the Bees’ 12-2 season. They were the Region 4/4A champions and reached the semifinal round for the second time in four seasons under head coach Adam Caine.
Photos by Kailee Means:
