Aug. 31, 2009

Warriors wallop Piedmont, 42-13

By Kurt Duryea

CENTRE – A year ago Cherokee County and Piedmont met in a classic gridiron battle, with the Warriors holding off a furious comeback for a two-point win. Both teams went on to stellar seasons. The Warriors reached the 4A championship game and the Bulldogs made it as far as the quarterfinals.

Last Friday the rivalry was renewed but the score wasn't nearly as close. The Warriors pounded Piedmont 42-13.

The crowd filing into Bobby Joe Johnson Field came in under cover of umbrella and sporting rain gear as storm clouds lingered. By game time the rain had passed and an overflow crowd stretched around the track. The only storm remaining in the area was on the field wearing black and gold.

Piedmont coach Steve Smith had to be pleased with the Bulldog offense early. Veteran quarterback Chase Childers directed a time-consuming, 86-yard drive. On third and 9 from the Warrior 28, Childers spotted Matt Craig in the middle of the end zone. Luke Smith tacked on the PAT with 6:51 to go in the first quarter.

The Warriors answered immediately. Gabriel Chambers gathered the ensuing kick-off at the 22-yard line and weaved untouched through all 11 Bulldog defenders. Isaac Jones added the first of his six extra point kicks to tie the game at 7-7.

After Piedmont ended its next possession with a punt, quarterback Coty Blanchard displayed his speed on the Warriors' first play, gaining 24 yards. D.J. Fife then covered the next 24 four yards. A few plays later, Blanchard found Colin Perry for the touchdown. The score was 14-7 with 2:18 left in the first.

Piedmont spent the next eight-plus minutes driving, but Brett Burgess dashed the Bulldogs' hopes when he intercepted a Childers pass on the 5-yard line.

After a long TD pass from Blanchard to John West was negated by a penalty, Fife ripped off 21 yards and then Chambers gained another 18. Fife then broke free for a 57-yard TD that gave Cherokee County a 21-7 lead with 6:49 left in the half.

Desmond Brown stopped another Piedmont drive with a spectacular interception near the goal line to secure the 14-point lead at halftime.

Following the intermission, lightning struck early as Fife took the opening squib kick 78 yards for the TD.

After another Piedmont drive stalled, Blanchard drove the Warriors to the 15-yard line before finding Perry in the back of the end zone. The Warrior lead stood at 35-7 with 3:25 left in the third.

Gabriel Chambers scored Cherokee County's final touchdown, and Childers scored on a 13-yard run for the Bulldogs late in the game.

The Warriors rushed for 285 yards. Fife had 101 yards on five carries, and Blanchard added another 97 on only eight carries. Blanchard was 8-of-11 through the air for another 59 yards. The Warriors held Piedmont to 236 yards of total offense.
Coach Tripp Curry will take his No. 2-ranked Warriors to Alexandria (0-1) next week to face the Valley Cubs in a Class 4A Region 6 game. Smith and the Bulldogs will try to rebound at Walter Wellborn (0-1).