That’s all that separates the Cherokee County Warrior football team from an undefeated season, and, more importantly a Class 4A state championship trophy.
In case you’ve been out of it the past few days, the Warriors, who were down 18 points in the first quarter, pulled off a 39-36 come-from-behind win against the top-ranked Deshler Tigers Friday in Tuscumbia. The win propels the Warriors to the Class 4A state title game on Thursday at 7 p.m. It is the first state championship game appearance for the Warriors since 2005.
Cherokee County is making its third appearance in the state title game since 1984. The Warriors are hoping the third time is the charm.
Standing in the way of perfection – and that coveted state championship – is the UMS-Wright Bulldogs (12-2). Terry Curtis’ Bulldogs have been one of the premier teams in the past few seasons. The school has claimed four state titles since 1987, with the last coming in 2005 against Deshler, 42-16.
I know the odds are stacked against the Warriors, but haven’t they been stacked against them all season? Last week’s win over Deshler proved once again this team is resilient. Is this a team of destiny? I believe it is.
And you know what they say about the third time being the charm …Cherokee County 28, UMS-Wright 24.
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Speaking of the Warriors, The Herald is planning a 4-page special section as a tribute to their season. If anyone is interested in placing an advertisement, please call The Herald office at 927-5037.
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Prior to the Cherokee County’s three-hour trek to Tuscumbia Friday, the team got a boost from the Warrior faithful.
The team had a pep rally in the school gym before it departed Friday morning. In addition to the pep rally, the team was escorted by two Centre Fire Department trucks through downtown all the way to the Leesburg town limit.
Fans were along the sides of the road, many clad in black and gold attire with pom-poms and signs that wished the Warriors success.
While folks statewide may not believe the Warriors have made this year’s title game, the same can’t be said from within the community.
“I think a lot of people outside (of Cherokee County) didn’t believe in us from the start,” Warrior head coach Tripp Curry said. “We got to 5-0, 6-0 and 7-0, and then people started looking and thinking ‘Cherokee County might do alright.’ We won a couple of rounds, and that still didn’t do that much. We didn’t get a lot of respect by the writers, but now we’ve made it, and making it there, you’ve got to be legit.”
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Cherokee County’s Caleb Crane isn’t the only area athlete to be named a finalist for the Alabama Sportswriters Association’s annual Back/Lineman of the Year award. Piedmont senior linebacker Daniel Hammett has been selected as a Class 3A finalist for Linemen of the Year.
Hammett (5-foot-10, 170 lbs.) recorded 152 tackles (27 for losses) this season for the Bulldogs (10-3). He also had eight sacks, four fumbles caused, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a blocked punt.
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