By Adam Crocker/Sports Correspondent
Hokes Bluff lost a Class 4A, Region game to Cherokee County on Friday (Oct. 2), 48-17.
The Eagles (2-5, 2-2) brought the game to its closest point at 21-10 with a 24-yard field goal by Bradley Pruett with nine seconds remaining in the first half.
“(Cherokee County) has a good club,” said Hokes Bluff head coach Mike Robertson. “They have great speed and know how to utilize it. We did some good things in the first half.”
The host Eagles started the game out with the ball and ate up 8:16 before punching it in with 4:44 remaining in the first quarter. The score came off a 16-play, 61-yard drive capped off by Fisher Simmons’ 3-yard dash into the end zone. Pruett’s PAT attempt was good, making it 7-0.
The Warriors (3-3, 2-2), wasted little time in answering back, putting together up a nine-play, 85-yard drive that ended on Jacob Graves’s 3-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds remaining in the quarter. James Sewell’s PAT was no good, making 7-6.
After the Eagles went three-and-out, the guests took over at their own 18-yard line. The Warriors were led on the possession by two big pass receptions from Quartez Henderson for both receptions 58 yards. The second reception set up CCHS on the Eagle 2-yard line, and Brendan Bray punched it in for score.
The Warriors went for the two-point conversion and were successful when Tyren Dupree connected with Jacob Graves. The Warriors led 14-7 with 5:34 remaining in the half.
Following another Hokes Bluff three-and-out, Cherokee County took over on the 42. The ensuing four-play, 64-yard drive set up Dupree’s 32-yard touchdown pass to Justin McKnight. With Sewell’s PAT, CCHS took a 21-7 lead with 2:16 remaining in the half.
The visitors pulled away in the second half with four straight scores – Dupree’s 55-yard touchdown pass to Henderson, a 70-yard touchdown run by Bray, a 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Drew Vance and a 34-yard touchdown run from Jawaun Hood.
Hokes Bluff closed out the scoring with 3:05 remaining in the game on Johnson’s 45-yard yard pass to Ricky Ackridge.
Johnson was 8-for-19 in passing for 119 yards. Trey Hutchins caught three passes for 28 yards. Pruett finished with 58 yards rushing on 18 carries.
“We just can’t tackle people in space, and that really kills us,” said Robertson. “But hopefully we’ll get better after watching some film and be ready for next week.”
Hokes Bluff continues region play this week on the road at Saks.