By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

CENTRE – Almost two weeks ago, the Cherokee County Lady Warrior soccer team made history against Hokes Bluff. Winning a penalty kick shootout, the Lady Warriors clinched their first soccer area championship in school history.

History, and a little deja vu, continued on Saturday in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs against Hokes Bluff at a rain-soaked Bobby Joe Johnson Field at Warrior Stadium.

After battling to a scoreless tie through regulation, penalty kicks decided which team would go to the Final Four in Huntsville. Kadie Henderson, who made the deciding penalty kick against Hokes Bluff back on April 21, once again came through with the winning penalty kick in the Lady Warriors’ 1-0 victory.

Cherokee County connected on four of their five penalty kicks in the extra session. Ava Haygood had a pair of saves at goalie.

Eighth grader Cali Martin posted the shut out at goalie in regulation.

“Both teams played a hard, physical game,” Cherokee County coach Paul Sewell said. “I told my defense if they kept the shutout we would win.

“The defense was the difference maker. Kadie, Chloe (Battles), Chloe (Wood) and Lyla (Martin) really stepped up.”

Sewell gave credit to Hokes Bluff for keeping the Lady Warriors “on our toes” in the first 15 minutes of the game.

“They actually had one go off the cross bar, but we stepped into our own and really held them in their end (of the field),” Sewell said. “All credit to their keeper and defense because we went 90 minutes with no goals.”

Cherokee County will take on top-ranked St. John Paul II in the 4A state semifinals at John Hunt Park at the Huntsville Soccer Complex on Wednesday at 5 p.m. St. John Paul II defeated Mars Hill Bible 3-2 in other second-round playoff action on Thursday.