Last season, Coty Blanchard led Cherokee County to a spot in the Class 4A championship game, only to be turned away by UMS-Wright.

On Friday, Blanchard did his best to return the Warriors to the title game and earned Alabama Sports Writers Association player of the week honors in the process. The senior quarterback completed 18 of 30 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns of 69, 17 and 9 yards, while rushing for 106 yards on 11 carries with TD runs of 10 and 62 yards in the top-ranked Warriors’ 37-20 win over Deshler.

Blanchard and the top-ranked Warriors (14-0) will play No. 5 Jackson (13-1) in Friday’s 11 a.m. Class 4A final at Bryant-Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama.

Blanchard edged out two consistent performers this season for the honor in Damarcus James of Demopolis and Chase Childers of Piedmont.

James rushed for 195 yards on 27 carries with three touchdowns and the game-winning two point conversion in a 29-28 win over Spanish Fort.

Childers, a senior quarterback, scored both touchdowns – the last a 52-yard run with 2:12 left – to lift Piedmont past defending Class 3A champ Leeds and into the finals against Cordova. He finished with 72 yards rushing on 12 carries.

Piedmont (12-2) will take on Cordova (13-1) on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Class 3A championship.

The finalists – offense, defense and special teams – were selected by a panel of ASWA voters based on 19 nominations from members in Birmingham, Centre, Demopolis, Florence, Graysville, Grove Hill, Mobile, Montgomery and Russellville.

The other nominees were:

Corey Shelton, Prattville: Fielded an Auburn punt at his own 45, reversed field and raced to the end zone with 1:57 to play in a 13-9 win. The touchdown was his first of the season on a punt return.

Nick Perry, Prattville: Recorded six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in Prattville’s win over Auburn. Perry’s fumble recovery set up Prattville’s first touchdown in the third quarter. His interception at the 1-yard line ended Auburn’s final threat.

Ryan Carter, Hoover: Was 17 of 25 passing for 153 yards with 2 TD passes and added a TD run in a 35-0 win over Gadsden City as the Bucs returned to the Class 6A finals for the ninth time in 10 years.

John Propst, Hoover: Had 13 tackles, one tackle for loss and two sacks on a defense that allowed Gadsden an average of 1.2 yards per play in a 35-0 win.

Josh Magee, Hoover: Caught seven passes for 60 yards and two TDs.

Ryan Bullock, Hackleburg: Threw a 15-yard TD pass to Trevor Holland and kicked a 25-yard FG for the game-winning points in the second quarter of a 10-7 win against Hubbard.

Gabriel Chambers, Cherokee County: Chambers caught 7 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns (69, 17 yards) in the top-ranked Warriors’ 37-20 win over Deshler.

Teven Daniels, Brantley: Scored three touchdowns in a 41-14 win over Loachapoka, rushing for 85 yards and two touchdowns on six carries with a 15-yard TD reception.

Brent Calloway, Russellville: Rushed for 3 touchdowns (9, 18, 1) in the first half and 130 total yards for the game in the Golden Tigers' 40-7 semifinal win against McAdory.

Joey Howe, Russellville: Was 16 of 20 passing for 206 yards and three touchdowns in a win over McAdory.

Mason Willis, Russellville: Caught a pair touchdown passes (13 yards and 12 yards) on fourth down plays in the final quarter of Russellville's win.

Damion Bracy, Jackson: Had 33 carries, 191 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Handley.

Ryan Smith, Cordova: Had 14 carries for 209 yards rushing and threw for 98 on 2 of 5 passing in a 34-7 win at Luverne.

J.D. Williams, Clay County: Had 166 yards on 17 carries with touchdowns of 51, 37 and 9 yards

Trey McKeithen, Reeltown: Had two touchdowns and a two-point conversion in a 22-6 win over Pickens County.

Laprentiss Morris, Jackson: Got his 15th interception of the season and returned it 50 yards to break open a 17-14 game, as Aggies beat Handley 31-14.