Cherokee is on a five-game streak of home losses dating back to last season, and Wheeler a six-game streak of away losses also dating back to last season. However, someone's due for a change in luck on Friday. The Cherokee Warriors will welcome the Wheeler Wildcats at 7:30 p.m. Cherokee has given up an average of 43.5 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
On Friday, Cherokee came up short against Etowah and fell 40-27. Despite 102 more yards than the Eagles, the Warriors couldn't convert that extra yardage to scores.
Cherokee might have lost, but man, Brandon Hamilton was a machine: he rushed for 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns on only 15 carries, and also picked up 42 receiving yards. Hamilton's longest rush was for an impressive 56 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total. Another player making a difference was Jack Ruban, who picked up 148 receiving yards and one TD.
While Cherokee came up short, they sure didn't make it easy for Etowah: they limited their QB to completion percentage of just 44.4%. That dominant aerial defense primarily came from two players: Chris Turner and Zach Fullen, who each logged one passes deflected. Sadly, that's becoming something of a trend for Cherokee; they were averaging 58.2%completion percentage earlier this season, but in their last three games they've fallen to only 58.2%.
Meanwhile, Wheeler also suffered a loss in their last game, falling to Walton by a score of 34-21.
Cherokee will have to contain Patrick McCollough as he made an impact in Wheeler's last game. He threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns while completing 72% of his passes, and also rushed for 59 yards on only six carries. Wheeler's leading receiver Brock Adams was McCollough's top target yet again, picking up 118 receiving yards and one score.
Wheeler's defeat dropped their record down to 1-5. As for Cherokee, their loss dropped their record down to an identical 1-5.
Friday's contest might be decided on the ground. Cherokee has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 204.3 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Wheeler struggles in that department as they've been averaging 180.8 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Cherokee and Wheeler were almost perfectly matched up in their previous matchup back in October of 2024, but Cherokee suffered an agonizing 28-27 defeat. Thankfully for the Warriors, Josiah Allen (who rushed for 256 yards and a pair of TDs while picking up 9.8 yards per carry, and also picked up 31 receiving yards and one score) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
