Sept. 17, 2012

Cherokee County comes up short against Jacksonville, 42-35

By ROY MITCHELL

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BOBBY JOE JOHNSON STADIUM — Rebounding from what appeared to be an early knockout, Cherokee County stood toe-to-toe with visiting Jacksonville before falling short Friday night, 42-35.

Defenses for the two region foes initially held strong, as the game's first four drives all ended in punts.
Cherokee County running back Ty Green landed the first solid punch of the night with a 10-yard touchdown scamper around right end. The run capped a three-play, 26-yard drive. Junior Eric Burgess connected on the extra point. At 4:32 remaining in the first quarter, the Warriors led 7-0.

Jacksonville's “one-two” offensive punch of sophomore Max Thurmond and junior Dominique Thomas ensured the scoreboard digits would change quickly. Thurmond's 52-yard kickoff return and Thomas's 36-yard sweep around left end staggered the Cherokee County defense. Junior Mason Tompkins's point-after tied the score 7-7 with 2:30 left in the quarter.

Two plays into Cherokee County's next drive, junior Malik Reed's 41-yard interception return put the Golden Eagles ahead 14-7 after Tompkins's PAT.

Senior Lucas Whitmire set up the Warrior's counterpunch, returning the ensuing kickoff 72 yards to the Jacksonville 18-yard line. On the first play of the second quarter, Green jolted 10 yards around left end for the score and a 14-14 tie.

Each team failed to score in its next possession. Then a barrage of Golden Eagle punches sent the Warriors' hopes flying toward the canvas.

With six minutes remaining in the half, Thomas rushed 58 yards off right tackle for a touchdown.

The Golden Eagles soon pinned the Warriors back on the ropes. Four plays into the next drive, Jacksonville's Thurmond adjusted to an underthrown pass then eluded his defender. Fifty-eight yards and a Tompkins PAT later, the Jacksonville lead had stretched to 28-14 with a minute to go in the half. They weren't finished.

Jacksonville's line-drive kickoff hit a Cherokee County up-man, allowing the Golden Eagles to recover. Four plays and 53 yards later, Thomas's five-yard reception sent the Warriors to the canvas again with only 20 seconds remaining in the half. Down 35-14, a reeling Cherokee County was saved by the halftime buzzer.

Before they returned from the locker room, a Warrior metamorphosis took place.

Maybe it was Coach Tripp Curry's halftime adjustments to take away the toss sweep and pressure the quarterback. On the other hand, it could have been inspiration from the Warrior band's feathery plumes and drum-line pyramid. For whatever reason, Cherokee County came out in the second half swinging like a heavyweight.

Highlighting an eight-play, 95-yard scoring drive, senior Logan Pierce caught a pass over the middle and sprinted 62 yards for the score. Later on, Wade Griffith's four-yard touchdown brought the Warriors to within one score. At the start of the fourth quarter, Jacksonville led 35-29.

Again, the Warrior defense held. Then at 7:17 remaining in the game Green capped the seven-play, 76-yard drive. A blocked PAT left the score tied.

The Warriors were forced to punt with 2:31 remaining. A botched snap gave Jacksonville the ball on the Cherokee County 15. Jacksonville scored the game-winning touchdown two plays later on Thomas's 10-yard scamper around left end.

The Warriors (0-3) travel to Cleburne County Friday night.