The Skinny
The Cherokee Warriors were plagued last season by injuries and a bit of inexperience. But after breaking in several new starters in 2017, the Warriors should have some much-needed game experience as the 2018 season approaches.
Two of the top returners to the team will be lineman Garrison Blackmon and running back Garrett Miles. Blackmon was a second-team All-Region selection last season for the Warriors. (Miles missed his junior season with an injury.). Coach Shaw believes that wide receivers DeAndre Turner and Devin Ellison could be a couple of players that can contribute offensively this season.
On defense, seniors McKinley Hunter (LB), Grant Mogelnicki (DB) and Kerwin Majano (DL) look to lead the way for the Cherokee Defense. Mogelnicki and Majano earned second-team All-Region honors in 2017, while Hunter was an Honorable Mention selection. In addition to these three, look for contributions on defense from LB Grant Hornbuckle, (second team All-Region), DB Blake Kenney, and DL Jaden Williams.
Which games are circled on the calendar for the Warriors?
“All the region games. Those are the ones that decide if you make it to a game 11,” said Shaw.
He continued, “Obviously Etowah & Woodstock for being in-county region opponents.”
Success this season for Coach Shaw and his staff might be defined differently than you think.
“Obviously to ‘outsiders’ it will be wins/loses. But for our coaching staff, it will be how our players grow as a family and play for each other,” Shaw explained.
We asked Coach Shaw about some of his standouts in the community.
“We have a lot of them; as serving others is the backbone of our program. Too many to list.” Shaw said.
