Week-4 of the Georgia High School football season is upon us. Here is a look at the Cherokee County Football previews for this week. First up, the Etowah Eagles travel to North Forsyth. Last week, Etowah’s defense looked much improved but will they have a repeat performance and slow down an explosive North Forsyth offense? Next, Woodstock will travel to Smyrna to face Campbell. The Wolverines are looking to get their first victory, but Campbell is not the pushover they have been in recent years. Will this be the breakout week for Woodstock? Finally, Cherokee will host Creekview. So far the Grizzlies have bullied their way to victory over the county’s other 7-A schools. Will Cherokee put an end to the Grizzlies recent run or are the Grizzlies for real?
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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 North Forsyth Raiders are coming off of a big win last week against Dalton. The Raiders racked up 438 yards on the ground last week with a pair of rushers going over the 100-yard mark. Quarterback Drew Aucoin threw for 123 yards and rushed for 160 to lead the way last week. Patrick Corrigan also added 130 yards and 2-TDs in the big victory. Garett Achilles is the teams current receiving leader with 155 yards and 1-TD. Corrigan is also the teams leading tackler.
The Etowah Eagles are looking to change their fortunes as the go on the road this week. Etowah’s defense was very impressive last week, holding the explosive River Ridge Knights to just 22 points. Perhaps more impressive is that they were able to keep the Class 6-A leading rusher from last season in check for most of the game. For Etowah to have repeat success, they will need another big game from their front seven. Ryan Lee, Jaiden Maddox, Billy Hendrix, Will Pailthorpe and Alex Kirby were all instrumental in really stuffing the run game a week ago. Offensively, the Eagles might have something working sophomore Elijah Washington. He seems to get stronger the more they feed him the ball.
We said this last week about Etowah, and believe it applies again this week. Ball control and sustained drives will be the key for their success. For North Forsyth, another big game from Aucoin could mean another big victory. Etowah’s offense improves this week, but North Forsyth prevails. Raiders by 17.
The Skinny
The Campbell Spartans are 2-0 for the first time since 2015. Their two wins to date already match their win total from last season. So it certainly can be surmised that the Spartans are playing with a lot of confidence. Quarterback Luke Marble has thrown for 445 and 4-TDs in two games. Running back Jomouri Phillips has continued to prove he can be a feature back for the Spartans as well. The 56 points scored last week are the most Campbell has scored since 2005.
Woodstock comes into this game looking to continue to find their stride on offense. The Wolverines were shut out for the second time this season last week. Much of the Wolverines success this week will depend on how long quarterback Dan Comeau will have to throw. As we have mentioned in prior weeks, he has some weapons on the outside (Adonis Garcia, Nick Rule, Brady Williams, Alex Hendricks), but the big question is will the Wolverines be able to have success on the ground.
Both teams will probably air the ball out this week and test the opposing secondaries. The edge might be with Campbell and their advantage on the ground. Woodstock should show some marked improvement this week, but we like the Spartans, Campbell by 6.
The Cherokee Warriors will be in the friendly confines of Tommy Baker Field for the first time this season. Cherokee is coming off of a difficult game against one of the best defenses in the state. The Warriors were only able to muster 7 points against Rome with the bright spot being Caleb Richardson’s long touchdown reception. Cherokee’s defense performed relatively well, despite the scoreboard as they kept the explosive plays for Rome in check.
The week off two weeks ago did not have any ill-effect on the Creekview Grizzlies as they picked up where they left off. The Grizzlies have now outscored their first two opponents 90-7. Last week, Tyler Stevens found pay dirt 4 times while the “Gang Green” defense only allowed 33 yards of total offense. (That’s downright dominant!) Perhaps even more impressive than the 33 yards of offense is the five turnovers that the defense forced. The Creekview Grizzlies just aren’t going to beat themselves.
This week is definitely a step up in competition for Creekview as Cherokee has a much more potent offense than the Grizzlies first two opponents. If the Warriors can establish Zi Johnson on the ground and find a way to neutralize Issac Hubert, then Cherokee could come out on top. Something tells us that the Grizzlies are the real deal this season. This one won’t be a run away, but we like Creekview by 6.