Cherokee Warriors surrender to NC in 44-26 rout
The NC Warriors went head-to-head with the Cherokee Warriors in the first game of the regular football season. Cherokee, who went 4-6 last season, proved a worthy opponent for NC.
August 22, 2016
The NC football team started the regular season 1-0 Friday, defeating Cherokee High School 44-26 at Emory-Sewell stadium.
NC carried tremendous momentum through the first quarter after senior defensive end Christian Albright intercepted a screen pass on the fourth play from scrimmage and took the ball 31 yards to the end zone. NC’s defense forced a punt the next drive. The offense started positively, but senior running back C.J. Cole fumbled a soaked football after picking up a first down, giving the ball back to Cherokee.
Cherokee moved the ball down to the NC 16 yard line, where senior linebacker Jai Erwin tipped a pass into senior corner Trenton Johnson’s hands, and NC’s momentum train took off, building a lead that NC would never relinquish. NC scored two plays later on a tip-toeing 12 yard touchdown run from senior quarterback Will Lovett.
Wide receiver Drew Tejchman (#1) attempting to prevent a tackle against running back Quannie Green (#3). Both Tejchman and Green scored multiple touchdowns during the game, showing off their best skills and leading the team to victory.
NC forced a three and out and tossed a 52 yard touchdown pass over the next two positions, and eventually built itself a 28-0 lead entering the second quarter. NC’s intensity and focus diminished with a big lead, allowing Cherokee to score thirteen unanswered points. NC responded by scoring two touchdowns.
The fourth quarter conceded only 3 points off a Will Horton field goal that put NC up 44-26. NC finished the game by dominating on the ground, with Cole gaining 124 yards on 14 carries and senior receiver-runningback hybrid Quannie Green gaining 132 yards on 21 carries. Will Lovett finished 12-16 for 162 yards.
Wide receiver Drew Tejchman (#1) blocking Cherokee player D’andrez Barber (#2) from tackling running back CJ Cole (#21), helping him score a touchdown in the third quarter. In the end, Cherokee fell to NC 44-26, proving who the real warriors are.
Following the game the NC coaching staff and players agreed that the game showed key improvement from last season, where the team blew two halftime leads and lost four games by a total of 9 points. The Warriors face off against the Etowah Eagles this Friday, at home again.
