Photo courtesy of Average Joe’s Sports Talk
Hokes Bluff fought back from an early 21-0 deficit, but three touchdowns from Tae Diamond were too much for the Eagles to overcome in Cherokee County’s 35-21 victory in Class 4A Region 6 action on Friday, Oct. 11 at Hokes Bluff.
Diamond’s final score of the night, a 51-yarder with three minutes left in regulation, put the game out of reach after Blaine Barron’s 1-yard touchdown run and Leon Chen’s PAT 12 seconds earlier had cut the CCHS lead to 28-21.
Diamond finished with 149 rushing yards on 19 carries as the third-ranked Warriors improved to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the region standings. The Eagles fell to 5-2 and 3-2.
For Hokes Bluff, Bryce Whitaker rushed for 82 yards on 18 carries and was 9 for 16 in passing for 62 yards. Anderson Morgan had four receptions for 24 yards, while Colten Shields (pictured above) caught two passes for 26 yards.
Cherokee County built a 21-0 lead by the midway point of the second quarter via Tristan Brown’s 25-yard touchdown run, Adam Griffith’s 74-yard TD pass to Ben Frampton Diamond’s 4-yard touchdown run. Frampton was 3 for 3 all on three PAT attempts.
Hokes Bluff got on the scoreboard with 32 seconds remaining until halftime on Whitaker’s 4-yard scoring run and Chen’s extra point.
Barron’s 1-yard TD run at the 5:18 mark of the third period drew the Eagles within 21-14, but CCJHS answered on the next possession with a 1-yard TD by Diamond.
Drew McCarver had seven tackles for Hokes Bluff, followed by Brodie Brogdon with six and Bray Davis, Connor Ford and with five each.
Hokes Bluff continues region play at Ashville on Friday, Oct. 18.
