HEFLIN – Anyone with an inkling of knowledge about high school football in Alabama knows about the top-heavy offensive talent the Cherokee County Warriors have featured the past two seasons.

Sometimes the defense gets lost in the shuffle, but on Friday night against Cleburne County, the Warrior ‘D’ had a game for the ages.

Kenny Akin and Brett Burgess returned interceptions for touchdowns, and D.J. McAllister added a fumble return for a score as the Warriors blasted Cleburne County 52-14.

“I can’t tell you the last time we’ve done that,” Warrior coach Tripp Curry said. “I’ve never been associated with it, when we’ve had three defensive turnovers for touchdowns, and they just come at big times in the ball game. When you’ve got the offensive weapons we do, and then you turn around and get 21 points on defense, that really puts a plug into things.”

Before the defense got revved up, it was senior quarterback Coty Blanchard who got the Warriors (5-0) on the board first. He scored on a 17-yard touchdown run four minutes into the game to put Cherokee County on top 7-0.

Blanchard rushed for 112 yards on just five carries with two scores. He was also 6 of 8 through the air for 86 yards.

After the Tigers (1-4) were forced to punt, Clemson commitment Desmond Brown scored on an 8-yard touchdown run to put the Warriors in front 14-0. Brown finished the game with 88 yards on 11 carries.

Just 36 seconds following Brown’s touchdown, Akin returned an interception 85 yards for a score. Isaac Jones booted the extra point to give the Warriors a 21-0 advantage in the first quarter.

The rout was on, but there were more fireworks from all sides of the ball yet to come.

Burgess added a 60-yard interception return in the second quarter. McAllister later took a 19-yard fumble to the end zone. D.J. Fife also scored on a 17-yard touchdown run, and Jones – who now has 103 points scored in his career – connected on a 34-yard field goal to help put the game way out of reach.

“Our kids just respond every single week,” Curry said. “When the lights come on, they really show up and play. It’s fun being around these guys. They’re just a great group of kids.

“I think we’re getting better every week. We focus on the things we’re not doing good and not changing much on the things we’re doing good. I think that’s the way you’ve got to be. Around the sixth or seventh ball game, you’ve got to be clicking on all cylinders.”

Cleburne County sophomore rusher Rocky Hayes led the Tigers with 152 yards on 11carries.

Cherokee County returns to Class 4A, Region 6 action next Friday. The Warriors will travel to Odenville to face St. Clair County.