CENTRE – Just when you think Cherokee County senior quarterback Coty Blanchard can’t possibly top what he did the week before, he does just that.

Take Thursday night’s regular-season finale against Class 5A Scottsboro for example. Blanchard accounted for 411 total yards (338 passing, 73 rushing) and had a hand in all five Warrior touchdowns. Cherokee County’s defense did the rest, as it held the Wildcats to just 113 total yards in a 34-0 victory.

The win caps back-to-back perfect regular seasons for the top-ranked Warriors (10-0). Scottsboro ended its season at 1-9.

“Going 10-0 back to back is so hard to do,” Warrior head coach Tripp Curry said. “You don’t really think about doing that again. It’s in the back of your mind, but you think there might be an upset here or there. Going 10-0 again and heading into the playoffs is a big deal. The kids love it, the fans love it, and I love it. Our kids have really stepped up to the plate, and we’ve played pretty well.”

Blanchard, who completed 21-of-28 passes with four touchdowns, got the Warriors going early in the first quarter with a 67-yard touchdown strike to Gabriel Chambers. Isaac Jones connected on the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Blanchard called his own number later in the first quarter by scoring on a 15-yard run, putting the Warriors in front 13-0.

Blanchard and Chambers hooked up for a second score in the second quarter. This one came on a 4-yard pass, which put the Warriors in front 20-0.

Chambers led Cherokee County’s receivers with six catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns.

In the third quarter, Blanchard connected with D.J. Fife on a 47-yard touchdown pass. Fife finished with three catches for 63 yards and a score. Jones’ extra point made it 27-0 Warriors.

Blanchard’s final touchdown throw of the night came in the fourth quarter – a 7-yard pass to Desmond Brown.

Brown had three catches for 38 yards and a score.

As impressive a night as Blanchard had, the Warrior defense also turned in a stellar outing. It held the Lions to just six first downs in the game.

“We gave up a play here and there, but for the most part our defense played so good tonight,” Curry said. “We’ve just got some guys that can run to the football. They know what they’re doing, and they’re having fun. When you know what you’re doing, you don’t have to be robotic and you can run around. I think that’s what our kids are doing. They understand the concept of what we’re trying to do defensively and they’re having fun doing it.”

Zachary Mardis led Scottsboro with 54 yards on 17 carries. Khaleem Jones added 44 yards on 14 carries.

Up next for the Warriors is a first-round playoff game with Haleyville (8-2). The Lions defeated Winston County 19-0 on Thursday.

Curry said the Warriors aren’t taking the Lions lightly.

“I think they’re going to be a great first-round opponent,” he said. “They are by no stretch of the imagination a duck. Another thing we’ve got is that No. 1 ranking. Not only does everybody want to knock off the No. 1 team, but if you knock us off, then you’ve got a shot to play for it all. It’s a double-big ball game for them, so it’s got to be a double-big ball game for us.

“We’ve got it at home, so that’s a plus for us. Maybe we can play well and we’ll see how it turns out.”