It’s a rare feat for all five Cherokee County high school football teams to win during the same week. It’s happened a few times scattered throughout the years, but a little history was made last weekend after all five won their respective contests for the second straight week. That was a topic of discussion I had with former Cedar Bluff coach and current assistant principal Jonathan McWhorter.
Through my research on the Alabama High School Football Historical Society website on Wednesday, two weeks in a row has never happened. The last time the feat came close to being accomplished was the weeks of Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, 2015. Sand Rock was the only county team to lose on Oct. 9 of that year, a close 9-7 decision at Geraldine.
Speaking of close decisions, yours truly only missed one game last week. My only blemish was the Cherokee County and Anniston game, won by the Warriors 21-20. My record so far this season is 17-2.
Could a continuation of three straight weeks of county football history be on the horizon? Have I learned my lesson picking against the Warriors? Let’s see ‘What in the world is Shannon Fagan thinking?’
Weaver (1-2) at No. 2 Piedmont (3-0): Two teams headed in different directions in this contest. Weaver seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis, but the Bulldogs sure know who they are. Piedmont rolls to 4-0.
The pick: Piedmont.
Gaylesville (3-1) at Valley Head (1-3): I think this game comes down to whichever team runs the ball better. Valley Head has the talents of Eian Bain and Ashton Brown. The Trojans have the three-headed monster of Keylon Higgins, Hunter Penney and Michael Reynolds.
Three is greater than two, so I’m going with the Trojans.
The pick: Gaylesville.
Cedar Bluff (2-1) at Trion, Ga. (3-0): In my research of this game, I found out the Bulldogs are very talented. They have a couple of college prospects on their roster, including 6-foot-6, 230-pound tight end Cole Cavin.
Also, I learned the Tigers haven’t won a game against the Bulldogs. They’re 0-3 against them. In fact, they haven’t even scored. They’ve lost by a combined score of 118-0.
While I expect that streak will be broken on Friday, I’m afraid the Bulldogs will have the bigger bite.
The pick: Trion.
Cherokee County (2-1) at White Plains (1-3): The Warriors found a new weapon last week in CJ Gresham. He got more touches last week and made the most of them by scoring two big touchdowns against Anniston.
I look for Gresham, Damien Ramsey and company to keep the Warrior running train rolling at White Plains.
The pick: Cherokee County.
Collinsville (2-2) at Sylvania (2-2): Sylvania almost shocked the state last week against top-ranked and defending 3A state champion Fyffe. They held their own against the Red Devils, but fell short 16-13. Quarterback Brody Smith threw for almost 300 yards and two touchdowns, so the Panther defense is going to have its hands full against him.
The pick: Sylvania.
No. 3 Spring Garden (3-0) at Cleveland (2-1): I got a few impressions from Spring Garden coach about Cleveland earlier this week. He said they’re one of the best football teams in North Alabama – balanced, big and well coached.
But so is Howard’s own bunch.
I look for Chaz Pope to turn in another solid performance at quarterback and for the Panther defense to come up with a few key stops to earn another win.
The pick: Spring Garden.
Southeastern (3-0) at No. 7 Sand Rock (3-0): Sand Rock finally gets to play in front of the home folks, but they’ve sure done an impressive job on the road the past three weeks.
Like I did with Coach Howard at Spring Garden, I asked Wildcat coach Alan Heath his impressions on the Mustangs. He described them as relentless and senior quarterback Trent Carpenter as a great athlete.
“We will have to play our best game since I’ve been coaching here,” Heath said.
That’s what I expect Heath and company to turn in, their best game of the season so far.
The pick: Sand Rock.