Football Recap: Cherokee Takes Loss Despite Strong Performances from Brandon Hamilton and Jack Ruban

Cherokee played a tough matchup on Friday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They came up short against the Walton Raiders, falling 34-9. The loss continues a trend for the Warriors in their meetings with the Raiders: they've now lost seven in a row.

Brandon Hamilton

Rushing Yards

10/10/25 @ Walton	105
10/03/25 vs Wheeler	123
09/26/25 @ Etowah	146
09/12/25 vs North Paulding	237
09/05/25 vs Lambert	155
08/29/25 @ Pope	204

Despite the defeat, Cherokee had strong showings from Jack Ruban, who picked up 96 receiving yards and one TD, and Brandon Hamilton, who rushed for 105 yards. Hamilton's rushing production has been exceptional as that marked his sixth straight game with at least 105 rushing yards.

Noriega Thompson produced another solid effort rushing for 110 yards and a pair of scores on only 12 carries for Walton. With that strong performance, Thompson is now averaging an impressive 100.3 rushing yards per game. Christian Andrews got in on the action as well, returning a kick for a touchdown.

Cherokee's loss dropped their record down to 1-7. As for Walton, the win got them back to even at 4-4.

We've got plenty of inter-region action coming up soon. Cherokee is set to face off against their familiar foe North Cobb at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. That contest will pit two of the most dominant backs against one another: Hamilton and Zach Belyeu. Meanwhile, Walton will square off against rival Etowah at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. That game will pit two of the most dominant signal callers against one another: Christion Peacock and Zeke Douglass.