The number one question: Is Cherokee Bluff healthy?
Head coach Tommy Jones: “We’re not completely healthy, but we’re probably healthier than we’ve been.”
The Bears had several starters out against Jefferson in Week 11 and had to use everything in their playbook to beat East Hall two weeks ago to seal up a guaranteed playoff spot in Class 3A. They finished fourth overall in Region 8-3A.
So, the Georgia High School Association’s decision to add an off week between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs came in handy for the Bears this year, allowing them to get somewhat healthy.
“Yeah. I think so. I mean, you know, you it’s the age-old question: Do you want to have an off week heading into the playoffs? You know, does it hurt your momentum? Does it slow it down? I think every year is different,” Jones said. “Every team is different. This particular situation, I think it came at a good time for us to be able to get a little healthy and exhale, and to focus on Peach County and get ready for a very good football team.”
The Bears (6-4), a No. 21 seed, face a steep hill to climb on Friday as they travel to Fort Valley, Ga., to take on No. 12 Peach County (9-1).
“They’re very athletic. They’ve got lots of playmakers all over the field. They play with a lot of confidence,” Jones said about the Trojans. “They’re one of the very best teams in the state, for a reason, and they’ve been a perennial power for a long time. And obviously, Peach County is a very formidable first-round opponent for sure.”
The Trojans have had no issues scoring this season, averaging almost 40 points per game behind quarterback Caiden Ivory, who has passed for 1,115 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. But maybe more impressive is their rushing attack, led by a junior running back, Ashton Barton, who averages 110 yards per game, behind an offensive line that Jones describes as a “Bunch of road graders.”
“He’s a smaller back but can absolutely book it,” he said. “He can fly. It’s hard to compare film because there are no common opponents. But he’s as fast as anybody we’ve seen this year, for sure.
“They’ve got three offensive linemen who weigh over 300 pounds, and they’ve got strong road-grader type guys.”
Jones said they’ll have to tackle in space, which will be key.
“We also have to prevent extra yards and the explosive plays that they have a tendency to create,” he said. We’re also going to have to be able to put them in some situations that they’re uncomfortable being in — some longer yardage situations and get off the field. If we’re able to do that, I think it interrupts what they want to do.”
The Bears have played plenty of explosive teams this season, just in Region 8-3A, a region that Jones says is one of the toughest in the state. They held Monroe Area to 28 points but allowed East Hall to score 49. However, the difference between the two is that Bluff scored with the Vikings to get the 52-39 win.
That offensive production is what the Bears will need against a Trojans’ defense that is allowing 17 points per game, has forced nine fumbles, and hauled in 11 interceptions.
Just like any Tommy Jones-coached team, establishing the run with Jackson Pirkle (156-874 yards rushing, 5 TDs), along with Tony Rushin (54-305 yards rushing 4 TDs), is important to keep the Peach County offense on the sidelines as much as possible.
“Everything starts from the inside out with us,” Jones said. “That’s the way we’re built, and for us to be successful on either side of the football, we need to play well on both lines of scrimmage.”
If the rushing attack is having success, it gives the Bears’ passing game, led by senior QB Cooper Dean (120-of-184, 1,722 yards passing, 19 TDs, 6 interceptions, 63-191 yards rushing and 7 TDs), a chance to have some success, with two of the most dynamic receivers in the area in Sr. Malcolm Milsap and Jr. Dylan Haley.
“When we’re able to establish a run game, it sets up our ability to throw it,” Jones said. “At the same time, we have to make sure we secure the ball, stay ahead of the chains and stay out of long yardage situations. I don’t know if it’s any different than any game we play, but just the speed of play that they will play at will force us to execute precisely at a very high level.”
Cherokee Bluff (21) at Peach County (12)
Records: Bears (6-4); Trojans (9-1)
Last week: OFF
Time: 7:30 p.m., Anderson Stadium, Fort Valley
Key Players: Peach County: Jr. QB Caiden Ivory (73-of-142, 1,115 yards passing, 13 TDs, 5 INT, Jr. RB Ashton Barton (146-1,090 rushing, 18 TDs; 11-224 rec, 4 TDs), Jr. WR Zion Hudson (32-504 rec., 6 TDs, Sr. WR Cameron Cherry (19-218 rec., 4 TDs), Jr. Ace Blunt (103 tkls, 10 TFL), Jr Cameron Talton 79 tkls, 6 TFL), So Kamorious Smith (75 tkls, 2 TFL), Jr. Noah Borst (71 tkls, 8 TFL), Jr. Braydon Thomas 43 tkls, 7 TFL); Cherokee Bluff: Sr. QB Cooper Dean (120-of-184, 1,722 yards passing, 19 TDs, 6 INT; 63-191 rushing, 7 TDs), Jr. RB Jackson Pirkle (156-874 rushing, 5 TDs, 15-253 rec., 3 TDs), Jr. RB Tony Rushin (54-305 rushing, 4 TDs), Sr. WR Malcolm Milsap (40-666 rec., 5 TDs), Jr. WR Dylan Haley (43-508 rec., 5 TDs), Fr. WR Huddie Kemp (10-206 rec., 4 TDs).
Why Watch it: Cherokee Bluff’s offense vs. Peach County’s defense, oh, and Cherokee Bluff’s defense vs. Peach County’s offense. OK, I’m being a bit wishy washy here, and I meant to be, because pinpointing what exactly to watch for in this one is dang near impossible. What we do know is that Cherokee Bluff is a battle-tested team. Heck, look at their non-region slate and all you see is bruising opponents, and one massively explosive offense in North Hall. And Region 8-3A… somebody, give me a towel —I need to hit the ice bath. With that said, nothing will come easy for the Bears against an explosive, fast Peach County team. If Bluff is going to succeed, they’ll have to establish the run game quickly. Oh, and clock control is a huge key for the Bears. If the rushing attack is working, Cooper Dean will have a chance to slice up the Trojans’ defense with his arm and perhaps legs. However, watch out for the Trojans’ ball hawks on defense — they’ve forced 11 picks this season. The Bears will need to muddy this one up as much as possible, keep the shifty, elusive, and slippery RB Ashton Barton in check, and pounce on any turnover-looking opportunities. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Bluff could be traveling up I-75 happy campers on Friday. However, it’s going to take one heck of a performance in Fort Valley for the Bears to enjoy that trip home.
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