Cloudland celebrated Homecoming 2023 in style.
The ‘Landers methodically pulled away and took a key 34-8 victory over Jellico in Region 1-A play on Friday night at Orr Field.
With the win, Cloudland improved to 4-3 on the year and 3-0 in region play. The ‘Landers control their destiny as far as the region title will play out.
The ‘Landers got on the board first as Kyle Birchfield scored on a 13-yard run, and Grayson Cole added the two-point conversion.
The Cloudland defense limited Jellico in the early going, and CHS took an 8-0 lead into the second quarter.
In the second stanza, CHS got back on the board as Birchfield found the endzone from two yards out late in the quarter. The final play of the half saw Jellico try to execute a hook and ladder, but an illegal forward pass call ended the half with CHS up 14-0.
The ‘Landers opened the third quarter with a strong nine-play drive that ended when Auston Caraway caught a 13-yard pass from Birchfield. The senior running back Birchfield added the two-point conversion.
Jellico, however, answered after a CHS fumble as Trey Jefferson scored on a short run to trim the Cloudland lead to 22-8 after three complete.
The ‘Landers answered with a dominant drive that saw Birchfield cap off the night with his fourth rushing touchdown – this one from 10 yards out – to secure the win for Cloudland.
Birchfield finished with 30 carries for 163 yards and also went 6-of-9 passing for 114 yards, while Cole had 13 carries for 61 yards. Cam Peppers added 38 yards on the ground.
Defensively, Cloudland held the Blue Devils to just 27 total offensive yards.
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For photos from the 2023 Homecoming Parade, click here.
