2023 Team Previews
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Cherokee County Warriors |
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Head Coach: Jacob Kelley (fifth season) Career Record: 4 seasons, (32-15) At Cherokee County: 4 seasons, (32-15) Stadium: Warriors Stadium/Johnson Field 2022 Enrollment: 361 Rank: 162nd in the AHSAA, 17th in Class 4A |
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History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overall Record: 564-431-29 (57.0%) Last 25 years: 167-120 (58.0%) (Rank: 105th in the AHSAA, 16th in Class 4A) Since 2010: 77-69 (52.7%) (Rank: 161st in the AHSAA, 28th in Class 4A) Last Playoff Appearance: 2022 Last Region Championship: 2022 Last Winning Season: 2022 Last Losing Season: 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class: 4A
Region: 6
Record: 12-3 Region Record: 5-1, (first) Playoff Record: Lost in the Class 4A State Championship game to Andalusia at the Alabama Super Seven 28-7 in Auburn. Final ASWA Poll: 10th Scoring: 544 (36.3) Defense: 264 (17.6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class: 4A
Region: 6
Strength of Schedule: 61-52 (54%) (111st in the AHSAA, 20th in Class 4A) Region Strength: 30-36 (46%) Non-Region Strength: 31-16 (66%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2023 Preview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cherokee County completed the 2022 season with a 12-3 record. Last year Cherokee County captured the region six title and a number one seed in the Class 4A playoffs. They finished region play with a 5-1 record. It was the first region championship for the Warriors since the 2016 season. The Warriors won four consecutive playoff games to reach the Class 4A State Championship game only to fall just short of claiming a title. They were defeated by Andalusia at the Alabama Super Seven 28-7 in Auburn. The Warriors won as many games as in any season since 2009. The Warriors hope to continue the success they had last season. Coach Kelley saw improvement as they won twelve games following a 7-4 record in 2021. Since 2010, Cherokee County has gone a combined 77-69. Their 52.7% winning percentage ranks 28th in Class 4A over the past thirteen seasons. Over the past 25 seasons, Cherokee County has managed to compile a record of 167-120. Their 58.0% winning percentage ranks 16th in Class 4A and 105th in the AHSAA. The Warriors are led by head coach Jacob Kelley who is entering his fifth season at the helm. He has compiled a record of 32-15 over the past four seasons at Cherokee County. Under his direction the Warriors have qualified for the playoffs a total of three times. They have won one region crown with Coach Kelley. Coach Kelley has the fans and players excited about the 2023 football season in Centre. With most of the starters back on both sides of the football the Warriors will definitely be in the mix come December for a state championship. A brutal first four weeks will be tough. The Warriors open at home where they will renew a rivalry with 5A Alexandria that has been dormant for eight years. Next, its the Battle for Highway 9 bragging rights when the Warriors take on Piedmont. Cherokee County will have to fill the big shoes of ASWA 1st team DB Jack Amos. The Warriors will draw on the leadership of Jacob Cornejo, Landon Ransum and Tae Diamond. All three were on all-state first team selections along with Amos. Kelley will also rely on the experience of 2nd team LB Tristan Brown and HM honoree OL Zach Gaylor. The Warriors seasoned roster includes plenty of youth that will push the nine returning starters, on both sides of the ball, for playing time. Cherokee County enters the 2023 season with a string of 8 consecutive wins on their home field at Warriors Stadium/Johnson Field. The Warriors enter the season with expectations of not only a region crown but will be contending for a trip to the state championship game. They are considered one the favorites in region six and could very well be representing the North in the Class 4A title game. Senior RB Jacob Cornejo returns after rushing for 2,590 yards on 287 carries and scoring 33 touchdowns last season. He also collected 132 tackles on defense. The Warriors open the 2023 season at home against non-region opponent Alexandria on Friday, August 25 at Warriors Stadium/Johnson Field. Last year the Alexandria Valley Cubs finished with an overall record of 5-5 and in third place in Class 5A region six. The Valley Cubs lost in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs to Pleasant Grove by a score of 43-14. Cherokee County and Alexandria have met a total of 43 times on the football field. The Warriors have a 15-28-0 record against the Valley Cubs. They last met in 2015 with Alexandria winning by a score of 65-49. Cherokee County lost 4A All-State defensive back Jack Amos to graduation. He was named to the first team last season. The Warriors return 4A All-State Junior offensive lineman Landon Ransum. He was named to the first team last season. The Warriors also return Junior defensive lineman Tae Diamond. He was named to the first team. The Warriors also return Senior athlete Jacob Cornejo. He was named to the first team. The Warriors also return Junior linebacker Tristan Brown. He was named to the second team. The Warriors also return Senior offensive lineman Zach Gaylor. He was named to the honorable mention team. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History
Since 1966 the Colbert County Indians have made the state playoffs a record 37 times.
Since 1966 the Colbert County Indians have made the state playoffs a record 37 times.