PREP PREVIEW: Wolves welcome Elizabethton for blue-collar battle in Blountville

West Ridge's football team completed a feat rarely seen in the year 2026 — winning a game without throwing a single pass. Head coach Justin Hilton promises that wasn't intentional. "We tried to throw. One was a sack, and one he was back to throw but ended up keeping it," Hilton said. "We didn't possess the ball that much but we ran it well. There's going to come a time when we have to open it up, and when we do we need to make a big play." But there's no need to apologize for the 28-21 win, not against a David Crockett team fresh off a 28-12 victory over Unicoi County — a top-10 team in 3A. West Ridge faces another challenge this week when Elizabethton (0-2) journeys to the Evelyn Rafalowski Athletic Complex for the first time, the Cyclones having won 21-19 last year on their home turf. Not surprisingly, West Ridge quarterback Justice Hilton is second on the team with his 191 yards rushing, second only to Brody Fields' 257 after last week's performance. With Jackson Price and Dayton Brown in the backfield, the Wolves (1-1) aren't short of options. "They've mastered that offense … even though they don't have the fullback they have last year, it's still effective. West Ridge is big, they're strong," Elizabethton coach Shawn Witten said. "Our best defense has to be our offense, got to sustain drives and capitalize on field position." Jace Arwood and Dayton Brown are tied for the lead in tackles with 17. Peyton Martinez and Hayden Musick, who have five and four stops for loss respectively, both have 15 tackles so far. The fourth quarter has belonged to Elizabethton in both games this year. But the first three quarters have been a different story. That can't be the case if Elizabethton wants to avoid just its second 0-3 start since Witten took over in 2007. "We just need to get off to a better start. Both games we've been able to get the opening kickoff and then got stalled by penalties, put us behind the chains," Witten said. "I love how our kids are competing. Love how we're finishing, just have to minimize those mistakes that are keeping us from getting where we need to be." Senior quarterback Peyton Lingerfelt, who rushed for all three of Elizabethton's touchdowns in Week 1, threw a pair of scoring tosses to Legend Pate in the fourth quarter last week. Ryan Jones and Pate have been the Cyclones' top two receivers, combining for 127 yards. Lingerfelt leads the ground game with 130 with fellow seniors C.J. Mathes and William McDuffie accounting for 106 yards behind him. "They're still a Shawn Witten coached team," Hilton said. "Most of the good teams are going to establish the run first. He's done that his whole career … they're using (Lingerfelt) as a mobile quarterback, running speed option with him. Looks a lot like the old Sullivan South offenses." Friday's kickoff in Blountville is set for 7 p.m. THURSDAY JOHNSON COUNTY (0-2) at SOUTH GREENE (0-2): One of these former conference rivals will collect its first win. Running back Tripp Neas and quarterback Dawson Ripley have led the Rebels, facing off against Johnson County's Brayden Dickens and Brock Jones on Rebel Hill. South Greene has won 12 in a row to take a 21-12 lead in the series. FRIDAY MORRISTOWN EAST (1-1) at DAVID CROCKETT (1-1): Senior quarterback A.J. Wynn showed his mobility with a 99-yard touchdown run at West Ridge. Far as local rushing leaders go, Wynn sits at fifth with 297 yards along with 167 passing. MoEast leads the series 28-5, but Crockett has won three of the last four since Hayden Chandley took over — including last year's 20-13 thriller at Burke-Toney Stadium. MoEast dropped a 35-14 decision to Hardin Valley last week. UNION (1-0) at DANIEL BOONE (1-1): Dru Fleming sits fourth on the local rushing list with 308 after last week's 170-yard effort at South Greene, a 21-14 Trailblazer win. Quarterback Mykah Lucas threw the ball sparingly but added 92 yards rushing. Union opened the Jamie Harless era with a 42-0 triumph over Lee High. Abe Hall threw for 150 yards while rushing for 93, and Elijah Lomax gained 85 with three TDs. CHEROKEE (2-0) at SULLIVAN EAST (1-1): This Region 1-4A opener features two teams with completely different philosophies. Jayden Weston has rushed for 361 yards and six touchdowns, third- and second-most in the area, and Cade Putnal has passed for 281. East sophomore quarterback Grady Burke already has 735 yards and seven TDs passing to his name. Haden Jones, Colton Laisure and Ike Deel rank third through fifth in local receiving yardage with 264, 173 and 170. Cherokee has won the last two to take a 4-3 series lead. VOLUNTEER (2-0) at GRAINGER (1-1): Only once prior to this year had the Falcons started 2-0 in back-to-back seasons (1997-98). Bryson Christian and Owen Fleenor have led a balanced ground game while Jordan Reed-Brown and Jameson Mowell have split time at quarterback. Grainger looks to rebound from a 37-36 loss at Union County. The Grizzles lead the series 6-3, but Volunteer won 42-7 last year. UNICOI COUNTY (1-1) at GATLINBURG-PITTMAN (1-1): This game determined the Region 1-3A champion last year and might do the same again. Having clicked through the air last week, Gunner Peterson (587 yards passing) and Avery Hatcher (275 receiving) both rank second locally in their respective categories. G-P recovered from a stunning 48-14 loss at Seymour with last week's 35-0 win over Cocke County. Unicoi County won the first meeting in the 1985 playoffs, but G-P has won 23 straight since, including last year's 21-20 thriller at Erwin. CLAIBORNE (0-2) at HAPPY VALLEY (2-0): Ninth-ranked Happy Valley has outscored its first two opponents 110-7, behind a rushing attack led by seniors Lane Parker and Nalique Anderson. They'll look for more of the same against a Bulldogs team that's been outscored 95-16 so far. The Warriors are 5-0 against Claiborne and its predecessor Claiborne County. SUNBRIGHT (2-0) at HAMPTON (2-0): The fourth-ranked Bulldogs are back at J.C. Campbell Stadium for the first time since Hurricane Helene. Brycen Blevins is tied for the area lead in passing touchdowns (7) with 391 yards, while Eli Tester leads a balanced rushing attack. Alden Cordell and Logan Hughes both have 121 receiving yards. The Tigers outscored Lookout Valley and Pickett County by a combined 104-52. Hampton has won both previous meetings. EAGLETON (1-1) at PROVIDENCE ACADEMY (1-1): The Knights have a balanced rushing attack with Ty Puhr and Kahler Oggero, while Cam Blanton's favorite target has been senior Marcus Stine so far. Eagleton quarterback Mason Mitchell threw for 338 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 38-20 win at Oliver Springs before last week's 48-20 loss at McMinn Central. The Royals took last year's meeting 39-14. TRI-CITIES CHRISTIAN (2-2) vs. FAIRLAND, OH (1-1): The Eagles journey to Raceland, Ky., for this game. Running back Ian Kelly is currently sixth on the area rushing list, running behind sophomore quarterback Coen Kestner. TWIN SPRINGS (0-2) AT UNAKA (0-2): The Rangers look to end a 17-game skid while Twin Springs looks for the first win under Keener Burke. One will happen in Stoney Creek on Friday. The Titans lead the series 6-1, having won five straight. SOUTHERN GAP (1-1) at RYE COVE (1-0): Southern Gap makes its first trip to the Eagles Nest, having defeated Holston 22-6 before last week's 48-8 setback against Ridgeview. The War Eagles enjoyed a bye week after their opening 12-9 triumph over Lord Botetourt.