CENTRE — The Cherokee County Warriors (10-0, 7-0) celebrated Senior Night Thursday with a 34-0 victory over Scottsboro.

In a light breeze, and with the temperature near 70 degrees, 16 seniors strode across Bobby Joe Johnson Field as honorary game captains. Cherokee County Head Coach Thomas “Tripp” Curry watched the players lock arms and walk confidently out toward midfield.

“It means a lot to have our seniors carry us through the season,” Curry said after the game. “These ballplayers have won 24 games in the last two years. It's a special group of kids to be around.”

The Warriors wasted no time jumping on of the Class 5A Wildcats (1-9, 0-7). On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Coty Blanchard fired a quick-out to Gabriel Chambers, who eluded several defenders before opening up the throttle for 67 yards. Isaac Jones added the extra point to put the Warriors up 7-0.

With such a prolific offense, it is easy to overlook a defense that has improved every week. Against the Scottsboro, Caleb Crane became a fixture in the Wildcat backfield, as the Warriors held the visitors to just six first downs and 113 yards of total offense – all on the ground.

“We're playing pretty good defensively right now,” Curry said. “Everyone preaches about our offense but I think I may be the only one who preaches defense. If we can slow people down defensively we can win football games.”

The Warriors' second touchdown drive came with 13.6 seconds left in the first.

The 56-yard drive looked as if it would stall on the Wildcat 40, as Warriors faced a third-and-15. But Blanchard dumped off a screen pass to Colin Perry, who advanced the ball to the Wildcat 48.

Blanchard then added another highlight run. Breaking outside, he was wrapped up by a linebacker trying to strip the ball out of his hands. Instead, Blanchard pushed the Wildcat defender to the ground and gained 18 yards.

A penalty moved the ball back to the 15-yard line. From there, Blanchard darted untouched through the middle of the Scottsboro defense. Jones' point after was blocked and the Warriors led 13-0.

Chambers scored his second touchdown of the night on a 4-yard pass from Blanchard with 5:36 left in the second quarter. Jones nailed the PAT and the Warriors led 20-0.

Chambers was Blanchard's most popular receiver against Scottsboro, catching six passes for 118 yards including two TDs. John West had a big night with five receptions. Blanchard ended the night 21-of-28 for 338 yards and four touchdowns.

Scottsboro managed a first down inside the Warrior 10-yard line early in the third, but could the Warrior defense stiffened and a 26-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.

On the ensuing drive, Blanchard tossed a 47-yard TD to D.J. Fife.

Blanchard's last touchdown pass came with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, when he found Desmond Brown from seven yards out.

Late in the game, a Cherokee County fumble gave the Wildcats the ball inside the 10. But the first-team defense trotted back on the field shut down the Scottsboro offense and then blocked another field goal attempt.

This week, the No. 1-ranked Warriors begin the Class 4A state playoffs at home against Haleyville (8-2, 4-2). The Lions have won six games in a row.

The Warriors, who won 14 games last year then lost in the state finals, are itching for another shot at a championship.

“I told our kids before the game that our seniors have got us here,” Curry said. "But now, we have to have a complete football team to gel around, to carry us the rest of the year.”