Pigskin Roundup 2015 | Page 60

CLASS 4A REGION 6 CLEBURNE CO. TIGERS CHEROKEE CO. WARRIORS Cherokee County was young in 2014 and they may be actually even younger in 2015. The Warriors graduated 9 players and only have 3 seniors on the entire roster. The difference this year is that the underclassmen have lots of playing experience. Cherokee County returns 8 starters on offense and 7 on defense, with a total roster of 46. The numbers and talent are in the 10th and 11th grade classes, with the sophomore class loaded with great athletes in all sports. CCHS won 4 of their last 6 games in 2014 and blasted B.B. Comer in their spring game to build some momentum heading into the 2015 season. Inches short is where the Cleburne County Tigers ended the 2014 season. A 35-34 loss on the road to Cordova left them just shy of a second straight berth into the third round of the AHSAA playoffs. While they return a solid core of players, the Tigers have some vital spots to fill. One of the most vital replacements is at quarterback where Brock Swafford steps into his first season with the role of starter entering camp. He started one game last season due to injury and filled in nicely with more than 200 yards passing. He’ll take his snaps behind an inexperienced line, although head coach Michael Shortt thinks they can be real talented in the latter portion of the season. The line will be led by junior tackle John Robinson. Wide receiver Jeremiah Blake (A.K.A Hotsauce) will be the playmaker on offense. Four different players will vye for carries in the backfield. The defense will be charged by a standout in Chad Brown. The 6’ 2” 200 pound linebacker leads a deep linebacking core made up of Wade Dasinger, Mario Smith and Austin Harler. The backfield is deep as well with Blake and Noah Ware returning. It all begins with sophomore quarterback Tyren Dupree (6’2, 190) who was on his way to big things in ’14 before an injury in the opener versus Piedmont. Dupree is already being recruited by everybody in America according to CCHS Head Coach Tripp Curry. Another college prospect is defensive end Nahun Whorton (6’3, 270 Sr.) who also plays some at tight end. Curry describes RB/WR Cortez Henderson (6’1, 170 Jr.) as the best player on the team. Other offensive standouts include speedy receiver Jacob Graves, RB Brenden Bray and linemen Drew Vance (6’2,270), Kyle Horton (6’1,240), and Zach Fife (6’0,245). Junior linebacker Dawson Foshee (6’0, 190) will lead the Warrior defense. Curry tabs Saks, Cleburne County, and Jacksonville as the teams to beat in the loaded Class 4A, Region 6. JEREMIAH BLAKE Wide Receiver SCHEDULE 8/28 Munford...................Home 9/04 Cherokee County.........Home* 9/11 White Plains..............Away* 9/18 Crossville..................Away* 9/25 Haralson County, GA.....Home 10/02 Jacksonville............ ...Home* 10/09 Sardis......................Away* 10/16 Saks........................Away* 10/23 Hokes Bluff................Home* 10/30 Glencoe....................Home COACH MICHAEL SHORTT... “Our offensive line is pretty young. We don’t have a lot of experience up front. But I think as the season progresses they have a chance to be really good.” 58 | 2015 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine BRENDAN BRAY Running Back SCHEDULE 8/28 Piedmont................. Home 9/04 Cleburne County......... Away* 9/11 Saks....................... Away* 9/18 Jacksonville.............. Home* 9/25 Ohatchee................. Home 10/02 Hokes Bluff............... Away* 10/09 Crossville................. Home* 10/16 Sardis..................... Home* 10/23 White Plains............. Away* 10/30 Alexandria................ Away COACH TRIPP CURRY... “We just want our kids to expect to win. We are good enough to win and we want our kids to expect to win too.”