CHEROKEE CO. WARRIORS
CLEBURNE CO. TIGERS
Class, Region: Class 4A, Region 5
Head Coach: Tripp Curry Class, Region: Class 5A, Region 4
Head Coach: Michael Shortt
2016 Record: 10-3
2016 Playoffs: Advanced to the quarter-final round of the
Class 4A playoffs before falling at home to Hokes Bluff 28-21. 2016 Record: 2-8
2016 Playoffs: None
2016 Rewind: Cleburne County finished with a 2-8 mark in the
Tigers’ first season ever in Class 5A. The Tigers missed the AHSAA
football playoffs for the first time since 2012.
2016 Rewind: Cherokee County enjoyed their best season
since the 2009 state title year with a 10-3 record and a Class 4A,
Region 5 Championship.
Key Losses: Some very significant talent is gone from the 2016
Warriors. All-Staters and Pigskin Roundup All-Stars Cortez
Henderson (WR) and Jacob Graves (RB) graduated. CCHS also
lost players such as defensive backs Mason Rogers and Chris
Roden, along with kicker James Sewell.
Trevor Houston
Tyren Dupree
Players to Watch: Though low on returning starters, two of the top players in all of 4A
football will return in 2017. Leading tackler LB Riley Russell (6’1, 200 Sr.) and QB Tyren
Dupree (6’2, 195 Sr.) lead the defense and offense respectively. Other names to watch for
Cherokee County include OG John Bannister (5’10, 225 Sr.), OL Will McKinney (6’1, 240
Jr.), and running back Sidney Perry (5’10, 180 Sr.). Two young players to keep an eye on are
freshmen Ivan Hunter at center (5’10, 260) and defensive end Naz Jones (6’4, 230).
2017 Roundup: Cherokee County lost 21 seniors from last year and only return five starters
on offense and just one on defense. However, the talent is there for the Warriors to again be
in the thick of the 4A, Region 5 race. The Warriors won their spring game against a strong
Etowah team. Coach Tripp Curry believes the key is how his team handles the opening three
games against powerhouse schools Cedartown, GA, Piedmont, and Hokes Bluff.
Did You Know? Cherokee County will again join Piedmont in playing in the
Border Battle event. This year the event shifts over to Georgia on August 25th.
CCHS will play Cedartown this year, while Piedmont will face Rockmart, GA.
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40 | 2017 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine
Key Losses: Graduation took a toll on the offensive line as the
Tigers will be without the leadership of 3-year starters Sam Pate and
Jon Robinson
Players to Watch: Senior Brock Swafford
returns for his 3rd season at Quarterback
to lead the offense. He’ll be joined in the
backfield by the multi-purpose Trevor
Houston, also a senior. A.J. Brown will also
see action in the rushing attack. Seniors
Alex Bolden and Ryan Day will join 6’4”
tight end Gage Harcrow on the offensive
front. Defensively, 6’2” 210-pound Micaiah
Ross exploded onto the scene last season
as a Freshman and has drawn the attention
of recruiters around the south. The Tigers
were young at linebacker in 2016 but hope
a year of experience will pay off this season.
Cale Dingler, Cade Smith, C.J. Higgins, and
Christian Seale all spent time at linebacker
last season. In the trenches, Noseguard
Grayham Cheatwood may be one of the
stronger players in the area. The Tigers will
be young in the secondary but will rely on
the leadership of Strong Safety Isavia Brown.
2017 Roundup: Coach Shortt calls Class
5A Region 4 “One of the most complete
regions in the state.” The reigning state
champion Beauregard finished as runners-up
in the region last season. Shortt expects the
Hornets to be strong again with Mr. Football
Ladamian Webb. “Central-Clay County
returns some talented skill people. Talladega
and Valley will be much-improved. Lincoln
has a new coach, so they’ll be rejuvenated,
and Sylacauga is always tough. It’s a dog-fight
every Friday,” says Shortt. Mix in non-region
games with Leeds, Randolph County,
Alexandria, and Fyffe and it’s hard to argue
with Shortt on that point.
Did You Know? Entering his 20th
season, Shortt is the longest-tenured
coach in Cleburne County history.
He’s just ahead of Dennis Maguorik
who led the Tigers for the 17 seasons
prior to Shortt.