GREENE COUNTY
Cherokee Christian came to Greensboro last week and left with a victory. The Warriors defeated Lake Oconee Academy 34-14 at Tucker Field on Thursday, spoiling its hopes of winning two straight contests, which has only happened once before.
The Titans played tough, although a couple of key mistakes in the game plagued them. Still, the competitive contest was a lot closer than the final score indicated.
Cherokee Christian struck first in the midde of the opening quarter. The Warriors put together a long drive, which ended with Jeremiah Meder’s five-yard rushing score.
They led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, but LOA would answer quickly in the second.
The Titans started their first scoring possession on the Cherokee Christian 36-yard line. They quickly faced a 3rd-and-15 situation as quarterback Garrett Payne was sacked but were given a free 15 yards and a first down due to a pass interference penalty.
A few plays later, fullback Ja’quon Hall punched it in from five yards out. LOA would tie it up at 7-7 after sophomore Knox Van mol knocked the PAT through the uprights.
Regardless, the Warriors would respond on the ensuing drive. They marched right down the field, scoring on a 13-yard passing connection from Meder to Mikey Statham.
Cherokee Christian led the Titans 14-7 with just over three minutes left in the first half. The Warriors then kicked off to LOA, which began the drive on its own 29-yard line.
The Titans were held to a three-and-out and had to punt but would force a quick turnover. Senior Harrison Tolleson picked off Meder on the next play from scrimmage.
Nevertheless, Cherokee Christian’s defense forced another punt before the end of the second quarter. The score remained the same at 14-7 heading into the locker room.
LOA would start out the second half with the ball. Sophomore tailback Reid Davis broke off an explosive run; however, a fumble would prove to be costly for the Titans.
That turnover led to another Cherokee Christian score, which was Meder’s second rushing TD. The Warriors were in command at the end of the third quarter, leading 21-7.
LOA made things interesting as Hall scored his second rushing TD to start the fourth quarter. This time he punched it in from the one-yard line, followed by Van mol’s PAT.
Meder just couldn’t be contained, though. He scored his final rushing TD on the next drive. Cherokee Christian took a 28-14 lead with 6:06 left in the fourth quarter.
The Titans were forced to pass, and a few drives later, Payne was picked off. He dropped back and Statham made a great play on the ball. The Warriors’ sophomore defender then returned the pass back for a pick-six, sealing the deal for Cherokee Christian.
LOA fought hard, but turnovers and not converting fourth-down situations plagued the offense. A positive is that the Titans ran the ball well, rushing for 151 total yards.
Davis led them in rushing with 49 yards on six attempts. Cameron Kelley had 45 yards on 13 carries, while Payne had 29. Hall accounted for 26 yards and both of the team’s TDs.
Meder completed 10-of-21 passes for 113 yards a TD and an INT. He also totaled 69 rushing yards on 18 attempts with three scores. However, Camden Roberson was also productive, rushing for a team-high 101 yards on 13 carries, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt.
LOA (2-5) has a chance to turn things around this Friday at Notre Dame Academy (2-5). The Titans defeated the Irish Wolfhounds last season 29-28 for the program’s first-ever win. They will hope to repeat this past year’s success on Friday in Duluth.