This week in Cherokee County Football we have a couple of county rivalry games that might just help determine some playoff qualifications. All six county teams are in action as Cherokee hosts Alpharetta, Etowah hosts Woodstock in the Battle of Towne Lake, Creekview will be on the road at Chattahoochee and Sequoyah will host the River Ridge Knights in Hickory Flat.
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Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Cherokee Warriors showed poise in their comeback victory over Etowah last week. Cherokee has almost certainly qualified for the post season (barring some unforeseen, but not completely out of the question things happening over the last three weeks), but now they will look to improve their seeding. Quarterback A.J. Swann leads the offense with 1,543 yards and 18-TDs. Receiver Caleb Richardson now has 6-TD receptions to his credit on the season and leads the team in receptions and receiving yards. The Warriors are averaging 23.8 points per game. Meanwhile, Kayan Simmons had a big night for Cherokee’s defense last week, especially in the second half. He’s third on the team in total tackles behind tackling machines Morgan Cox and Tyler Goddard. Last week was the best outing for the Warriors defense since Week-1. On the season, the Warriors are allowing 22.1 points per game.
The Alpharetta Raiders return from the bye-week looking to punch their ticket to the postseason. Last time out they had their best offensive performance of the season scoring 51 points in a win over Woodstock. Quarterback Ben Guthrie has thrown for 1,362 yards and 12-TDs. The duo of speedster Matteo Carriere (32 receptions, 466 yards, 5-TDs) and Garrett Young (33 receptions, 359 yards, 3-TDs) lead Alpharetta in receiving. Alpharetta averages 206 yards per game through the air and 87.7 yards on the ground. The Raiders have sacked opposing quarterbacks 11 times and forced 7 turnovers. They are averaging 19 points per game while allowing 32.
This game should be a gunslingers duel between Swann and Guthrie. Both secondaries will be put the test and we believe it will be a tight contest. But a healthier Adarrius Harshaw for the Warriors might be the difference. We like Cherokee by 4.
The Skinny
The Etowah Eagles will look to pick up their first win as they host the Woodstock Wolverines in the Battle of Towne Lake. The Eagles will need to put the emotional loss of last week behind them quickly. Sophomore running back Elijah Washington rushed for 130 yards last week, bringing his season total to 408 yards and 2-TDs. He carried the ball 33 times against Cherokee. Will Curcio is the big play threat at receiver for Etowah. He notched a 71 yard TD reception for the Eagles last week. It was only their second passing touchdown of the season. Defensively, the Eagles are led by linemen Ryan Lee, Jadon Maddox, Aldon Datis and linebackers Will Pailthorpe and Alex Kirby. They are allowing 29 points per game, but last week, they only allowed 14.
The Woodstock Wolverines will also be looking for their first win of the season as well this week. It has been a tough go of it for the Wolverines. They are averaging 9.1 points per game while allowing 43 points per game. They Wolverines will look to get things going through the air with junior quarterback Dan Comeau (1,216 yards, 5-TDs). Brady Williams leads the team in receiving with 36 receptions for 537 yards and 2-TDs while Preston Lawrence leads the Wolverines in rushing with 136 yards and 2-TDs. Woodstock is led defensively by the aforementioned Lawrence (38 tackles), Carson Gray (33 total tackles) and Benji Shackleford (39 total tackles).
This game will certainly feature a contrast of styles with Woodstock slinging it all over the yard and Etowah grinding it out on the ground. We expect a defensive battle. Ultimately, we believe Etowah will be able to impose their will with their rushing attack in a close game. We like the Eagles by a touchdown.
The Skinny
The Chattahoochee Cougars will be looking for their first region win of the season as the Creekview Grizzlies come calling. It has been an uphill battle for the Cougars in 2021. They are only averaging 8.7 points per game while allowing 36.2. Quarterback Caleb Myers certainly does have big play capability with both his arm and his legs. He provided the only scoring last week for the Cougars on a 59 yard scramble.
The Creekview Grizzlies will look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Riverwood. Nothing changes week in and week out for Creekview as they will look to their defense to help lead the way. On the season, Creekview is allowing 12.4 points per game. Cale Williams leads the team in total tackles with 54. Isaac Hubert leads the team with 5 sacks. The Grizzlies have forced 10 turnovers this season. Offensively, Creekview is averaging 29.7 points per game.
After an emotional loss last week, the Grizzlies will need to regain composure against another talented dual threat quarterback in Caleb Myers. However, we like the Grizzlies to bounce back in a big way this week. Creekview by 30.
The Skinny
The Sequoyah Chiefs got back on track last week with a big win over Chattahoochee. The win keeps the Chiefs slim playoff hopes alive. Sequoyah is now averaging 23 points per game. Jack Piscorz went over the 100-yard mark last week, rushing for 112 yards and 2-TDs. That brings his season total to 333 yards and 4-TDs. Sequoyah’s offense is led by quarterback Matthew Traynor who has thrown for 588 yards and 6-TDs. The Chiefs are averaging 85.7 yards through the air and 249.8 yards per game on the ground. Defensively, Sequoyah is allowing 22.2 points per game. Last week was the Chiefs second best defensive outing of the season.
The River Ridge Knights held on against a very game Centennial team last week as they look to keep pace and try to get back into playoff contention. Quarterback Carson Lathem has now thrown for 1,105 yards and 10-TDs. Jackson Head leads the team in receiving with 42 receptions for 610 yards and 5-TDs. River Ridge is now averaging 28.4 points per game while the defense is allowing 21.8 points. The Knights have been without running back Amehre Morrison for the last two games.
It certainly is a different look River Ridge team without the home run threat of Morrison. If he plays this week, we like River Ridge, but without him, we believe the Chiefs have the edge. Either way, this should be a much closer contest than last season. We like the Knights by 2.