Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
In a shootout that included four ties and seven lead changes, No. 9 Cherokee County held off No. 10 Etowah, 45-42, in Class 4A, Region 6 action on October 14 in Centre.
The loss, which was the Blue Devils’ first in six games, dropped Etowah to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the Region 6 standings. The Blue Devils, who already clinched a playoff berth, remain in contention for the region title depending on the outcome of this week’s games.
For Etowah, Trace Thompson (pictured above) was 24 for 37 in passing for 375 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 41 yards and a score on eight carries.
Omareon Finch had 10 receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Jameson Scissum caught four passes for 113 yards and a TD. Andrew Pierce and Davante Shannon each had four receptions.
Brigg Freeman paced the Blue Devils on the ground with 50 yards on nine carries.
With Etowah trailing 35-28 after three quarters, Briggs Freeman’s 15-yard touchdown run and Julian Corona’s PAT made it 35-35.
CCHS regained the lead a few minutes later on Jack Amos’ 53-yard touchdown run, but the Blue Devils quickly evened the score with Thompson’s 47-yard TD pass to Scissum.
Those turned out to be the final points for Etowah, however, and Will Frampton’s 28-yard field goal in the game’s closing minutes held up as the winning points for the Warriors (7-1, 4-1).
Etowah hosts Cullman this Friday (October 14) in non-region action.