Staff Reports

GOOD HOPE – The Cherokee County Warriors’ hopes of playing in a fourth consecutive Class 4A state championship game were dashed at No. 10 Good Hope Thursday. The Raiders held on for a 28-26 victory in the first round of the state playoffs.

It’s the first time the Warriors’ season has ended in the first round since 2020 at Mobile Christian. Cherokee County finishes this season at 7-4.

Miscues led to the Warriors’ early exit. They turned the ball over twice, missed an extra point, failed to convert on a 2-point try, and missed a 37-yard field goal attempt with 10:16 remaining in the game that would have given them the lead.

After Cherokee County turned the ball over on its first possession on the second play from scrimmage, the Warrior defense prevented Good Hope from scoring inside the 10-yard line.

Cherokee County’s offense cashed in on its second possession on Keyshawn Woods’ 1-yard run 2:02 remaining in the opening quarter. The extra point gave the Warriors a 7-0 lead.

The Raiders (9-2) tied the game at 7 with 3:47 to go in the second on Web Buchanan’s touchdown pass to Carter Rutherford, but Woods scored again on another 1-yard run just before halftime to give the Warriors a 13-7 edge at halftime.

Mason Drake gave the Raiders their first lead with 6:27 remaining in the third quarter on his 1-yard run on a 4th-and-goal. Following a successful PAT, Good Hope led 14-13.

The Warriors battled back on quarterback Adam Griffith’s touchdown pass to Jayquan Diamond with 4:08 to go in the third. The try for two was unsuccessful, but Cherokee County was back out in front 19-14.

Buchanan connected with Rutherford for another touchdown with less than three minutes remaining in the quarter. The point after was no good, keeping Good Hope’s lead at 20-19.

The Warriors missed a 37-yard field goal 10:16 in the fourth that would have put them back out in front, then Good Hope recovered another Cherokee County fumble at the 6:32 mark at the Warrior 37.

The turnover led to another Drake 1-yard touchdown run with 4:26 to go. The try for two was good, giving the Raiders a two-score advantage at 28-19.

Woods scored his third touchdown of the game on 7-yard run with 47 seconds remaining. Following a successful extra point, the Warriors were down two at 28-26.

Cherokee County attempted an onside kick, but couldn’t recover as Good Hope escaped with the win to advance to the second round.

The Raiders will travel to third-ranked West Morgan next Friday.