CENTRE — Cherokee County Warriors Head Coach Thomas “Tripp” Curry enters his 10th season leading the Warriors in 2010. Curry, the two-time Coach of the Year, is well aware that this season presents new challenges for the defending Class 4A state champs.

The first challenge facing the Warriors – ranked No. 6 in the Alabama Sportswriters Association (ASWA) preseason poll – will be a schedule filled with new opponents.  The 2010 AHSAA realignment shuffle places Cherokee County in 4A Region 7 with Butler, Crossville, D.A.R., Douglas, Fairview, Guntersville and North Jackson.

“As coaches that means we have not traditionally seen these teams year after year,” Curry said. “They are somewhat new to us. We will have to look at a lot of film to get ready for each game.”

The Warriors start off the 2010 season by renewing a rivalry with Cedar Bluff on Thursday night, Aug. 26.  The last time the two teams met in 1951 CCHS was the winner by a score of 33-0.

From there the Warriors roll into Region 7 play with Fairview and a chance to tie the school record for longest consecutive winning streak at 17. CCHS set the record from Nov. 12, 1948 through Sept. 9, 1950, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society (www.ahsfhs.org).    

“We’ve got to slow down and take this season game by game and get better each game.” Curry said of the new rivalries. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves.”

Although Curry, his staff and the Warrior players won’t look ahead, there are many Warriors fans are already looking ahead to the Oct. 1 matchup with the North Jackson Chiefs at Bobby Joe Johnson Field.  Last year, when these two teams tangled on the Chiefs’ turf, it was a high scoring playoff game in which the Warriors prevailed 56-32. This year game will be a pivotal Region 7 challenge as the Chiefs are ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll.

Other games that Warrior fans may have circled on their calendars as “must see” will be road trips.  On Oct. 22, the Warriors travel to Guntersville for their final 4A Region 7 bout. The following week, the Warrior caravan will unload in Piedmont, where the defending Class 3A state champion Bulldogs will complete the Warriors’ regular season. 

“In order for teams to maintain levels of success you need a strong class, followed by another strong class,” Curry said of his current team.

The 2010 Warriors may not have a large senior class, Curry said, but they do have players who were integral parts of last year’s title-winning team.

Brett Burgess spent most his time quarterbacking the defense a year ago, even earning ASWA All-State honors as a defensive back.  This season, the senior will be taking the snaps from under center.

Burgess expects to receive plenty of protection from a seasoned offensive line.

Warrior fans will have to watch and see who Curry and Burgess will rely on for offensive firepower.   There are a number of players who could play pivotal roles but Curry admits it’s a “wait and see” to determine who the playmakers will be.     

On defense, Matt Hill, an All-State Honorable Mention selection as a junior, will team up beside highly recruited Hudson Grimes.  Grimes, at 6-foot-2, 265 lbs. is a savvy interior lineman.  Adding seasoning to the mix are Ty Stroud, Matt Carter, and Zeph Fife.

Scouting eyes will also be on 6-foot, 195 lbs. junior linebacker Patrick Lowe, who is poised to have a break out year at linebacker.  Senior Kenny Akin and Junior Michael Burleson move into keep leadership roles in the defensive secondary.  

Not to be overlooked is placekicker and punter is Issac Jones.  Last year, Jones set an AHSAA record with 109 total points. He also inked his name onto the historic pages for converting 82 extra point points during the season. 

While it would be hard to predict how this season will end up for the Warriors as they enter a new region, one thing the Warrior faithful can rely on is this: Coach Tripp Curry and the Warriors will be ready to battle with anyone, on any night. They know how to win but, more importantly, they know how to prepare to win.

They proved that a year ago.