It’s hard to believe that we are entering the final quarter of the regular season of high school football in the state of Georgia. This week, five Cherokee County teams are in action and we will preview the four games, involving the five teams in this edition of Cherokee County Football Previews.
First up the County’s oldest rivalry game takes place as Cherokee hosts Etowah. Will the Warriors get back on track, or will the Eagles spoil the homecoming festivities at Tommy Baker Field? Next up, Sequoyah hosts Chattahoochee. Both of these teams need a region win to stay alive for a post season spot. Meanwhile, The River Ridge Knights travel to Centennial as these two teams look to keep pace in the playoff race. Can River Ridge bounce back or will Centennial shock Region-7? Finally, the Creekview Grizzles take their show in the road and will face a talented Riverwood Raiders squad. Will the Grizzlies defense dominate again?
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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 are back at home this week as they can clinch a payoff spot with a win over rival Etowah. Cherokee will be looking to get back on track after being blitzed by Roswell a week ago. The Warriors will need to shore up the run defense as their opponent will rely heavily on the ground game. Cherokee’s defense is allowing 23.4 points per game and the 41 allowed last week was the most all season. Offensively, the Warriors are averaging 25.2 points per game. Quarterback A.J. Swann has thrown for 1,026 yards and 11 TD-s.
The Etowah Eagles are still in search of their first win of the season. It won’t be easier this week as they travel to Canton. Elijah Washington scored on a pair of touchdown runs to help pace the Eagles on offense last week. The 14 points scored against Milton are the most the Etowah has scored in a game all season. They are averaging 5.6 points per game while the defense is allowing 31.5.
On paper this looks like an almost sure fire win for the Warriors. But we’d advise Cherokee not to look past the Etowah. The Warriors have been a little inconsistent this season. However, we believe Coach Shaw will have his Warriors refocused. Cherokee by three touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Sequoyah Chiefs will be back at home this week after a road trip to Cambridge left the Chiefs winless in region play. It is a must win game for Sequoyah if they want to keep any hopes of post-season play alive. Sequoyah was held scoreless last week and is in the midst of a 3-game skid. Sequoyah is averaging 19.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 24.8.
The Chattahoochee Cougars are also in search of their first region win and like the Chiefs, this is a must win game if they want to keep any playoff hopes alive. Chattahoochee is also on a 3-game skid and were shutout their last time out. The Cougars are averaging 9 points per game, but allowing 35 points per game on defense. For them to have success this week, they will have to be disciplined against Sequoyah’s Wing-T. Chase Washington and Reeko Johnson will be key along the defensive front this week for Chattahoochee. If they can help disrupt the run game, the Cougars could get a big road win.
Both teams are reeling and looking to find some footing in the second half of region play. We don’t expect a shutout from either defense, but we believe the Chiefs offense can have some success this week. Sequoyah by three touchdowns.
The Skinny
The Centennial Knights are coming off their bye week looking for their second region win of the season, hoping to keep pace with the top region teams. The Knights have used two quarterbacks this season, Tyler Laskaris and Carter Wit. The duo has combined for 438 yards and 4-TDs. Wit also leads the team in rushing with 486 yards and 2-TDs. Sophomore Nathan Webster is second on the team in rushing with 329 yards and 2-TDs. Centennial is averaging 13.1 points per game while the defense is allowing 25.1 points per game.
The River Ridge Knights will look to get back on track and stop their two game skid. The Knights have been without their homerun threat in the backfield, Amehre Morrison, the last two weeks and we don’t know his status for Friday night. Tyler Carter and Gabe Bolden have shown ability in spots. Carson Lathem has thrown for 940 yards and 8-TDs on the year while Jackson Head and Andrew Bingham have been key receivers for the Knights this season. River Ridge is averaging 28.5 points per game while the defense is allowing 21 points per game.
Both teams need this game to keep their playoff hopes alive. Centennial is improved from a year ago, but even if Morrison does not play, River Ridge has enough weapons to win on the road. Knights by 17.
The Skinny
The Riverwood Raiders had an extra week to prepare for this week’s matchup as they were off last week. Quarterback Avery Smith is having a big senior season, throwing for 1,831 yards and 18-TDs. He’s also completing 65% of his passes. Smith also leads the Raiders in rushing with 544 yards and 4-TDs. The senior signal caller has plenty of weapons surrounding him including receivers Tim Dorce (26 receptions, 419 yards, 5-TDs), Levi Linowes (19 receptions, 442 yards, 5-TDs), and Zach Cigelske (20 receptions, 438 yards, 5-TDs). Riverwood is averaging an astonishing 503 yards of total offense per game. On the defensive side of the ball, Burke Cigelski also leads the team in tackles.
The Creekview Grizzlies will roll into Sandy Springs looking for their third straight win over Riverwood. Last week, the Grizzlies defense was dominant in the second half as they cruised past River Ridge, holding the Knights scoreless after halftime. Creekview is averaging 30 points per game and we must admit, the Grizzlies have really opened up the playbook this season. Senior quarterback Mason Hicks has been effective under center, throwing for 890 yards and 12-TDs. Tyler Stevens has also been steady on the ground with 437 yards and 8-TDs. Stevens has also caught 20 passes out of the backfield.
We really like the Grizzlies defense. There is nothing “gummy” about these Bears! But Avery Smith may be the most athletic quarterback they’ve faced all season. We don’t see any way that Riverwood gets close to 500 yards of total offense. But we believe Smith does enough to edge the Grizzlies at home. Raiders by 2.