By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

CENTRE – The Cherokee County Warriors knew what was at stake on Friday night.

A win over Fairview would secure the runner-up spot from Class 4A, Region 8 and a first-round football playoff game at home. A loss could’ve sent the Warriors on the road.

Quarterback Tatum Perry and tailback JV Henderson made sure the Warriors will have at least one more home game this season.

Perry completed 20-of-35 pass attempts for 262 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for two scores. Henderson accumulated 122 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown in leading Cherokee County to a 42-14 victory on the Warriors’ senior night.

Cherokee County (7-3) will host Shades Valley (5-5) to open the state playoffs next Friday night. It will be the third straight year the two teams have battled. The Warriors have won the previous two, including last year’s 28-13 decision.

It’s also the seventh straight year the Warriors have earned a playoff berth, but it’s the first under new head coach Bayley Blanchard.

“It’s very special but give credit to my coaching staff. They come to work every day,” Blanchard said. “I love those guys and this team. We started off a little rocky, but we grew a brotherhood and that’s what it’s about. I’m very, very proud of them for getting to host this home playoff game.”

But Fairview (5-4) – already eliminated from playoff contention – made the Warriors earn the right to host that first-round playoff game early on.

After Cherokee County took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on Perry’s 32-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Young, the Aggies’ Ayden Batz returned the ensuing kickoff 72 yards for the game-tying score.

The Warriors responded with Perry’s 8-yard touchdown toss to Kadin Fife to regain the lead at 14-7, but Fairview came up with another big play on Easton Fitch’s 86-yard touchdown run to tie the game again at 14 after a quarter of play.

Fitch led the Aggies with 93 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown.

Cherokee County regained the lead on Perry’s 2-yard touchdown run with 8:54 to go in the first half, then the Warrior defense turned the tide – particularly junior defensive back Connor Jordan.

Jordan picked off a Conner Scott pass in the end zone to give the Warrior offense the ball back at the 20-yard line. It was the first of two interceptions Jordan made in the game. His second pick came with under 30 seconds left in the first half.

“Connor has been making plays all year,” Blanchard said. “He’s kind of been silently doing his job. He got rewarded right there with those interceptions.”

Six plays following Jordan’s first interception, Perry scored on a 1-yard run with 4:01 to go in the half that was keyed by Adam Griffith’s 50-yard reception on the previous play. Hugh Miller’s extra point gave the Warriors some breathing room, as they led 28-14 at halftime.

Cherokee County took the second-half kickoff and extended its lead even further on a 3-yard touchdown run by Henderson. Following an Aggie punt, Cherokee County scored again on Perry’s 52-yard touchdown connection with Sam Frampton, pushing the Warrior lead out to 42-14 at the 5:23 mark of the third quarter.

Frampton had three catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. Young led the Warrior receivers with nine catches for 96 yards and a score.

“We had a lot of guys play good tonight,” Blanchard said. “I’m proud of Tatum for distributing the ball to his receivers. I think Isaiah had a big night. Nine (Frampton) and 15 (Jace Betterton) also had great nights for us. They kind of stepped in with some guys banged up.

“JV has kind of blossomed. He’s played safety. He’s played receiver. He’s played running back. He’s been a returner. We’ve asked him to do a lot of things. I’m really proud of the way he’s matured and developed. He’s become a leader on the team.”

With their playoff scenario now set, the Warriors can move on to preparing to host Shades Valley.

“It’s huge,” Blanchard said of hosting in the first round. “Cherokee County expects to host playoff games in the first round, and that’s what we wanted to give them. It’s a football community and we want to continue to work hard and give them something to be proud of.

“Shades Valley is a very good football team. There are some things we’ve got to clean up going into next week. We’ve got to come out ready to play.”