Cherokee Battles Lassiter in a slugfest friday night.

Friday night at THE FRANK Cherokee had something to prove after previous years overwhelming defeats.  In a roller coaster game filled with big plays on both sides and abrupt changes in momentum, Cherokee came up short and dropped this one to Lassiter.  Lassiter 42 Cherokee 41

Cherokee's previous visits to Lassiter have been unpleasant, but you could feel the anticipation in the eyes of the Warriors this night that they wanted to make sure Lassiter knew Cherokee is not the Cherokee of old.  

The defense started off hot and kept Lassiter on their heels early in the game and Cherokee broke the scoreless game with 6:35 left in the first quarter on a spectacular 82 yard TD pass from Junior QB Spencer Ashley (4) to Senior RB Blake Johnston (5).  Lassiter then scored after a fumble on an 2 yard run punched in by Oris Lawhorn (26). The first quarter ended in a 7 - 7 tie.  

Then came the second quarter.

Lassiter scored 4 times on three TD passes of 63, 57 and 40 yards along with a 24 yard TD run to make the score 35 to 7.  Cherokee faced being run out of the stadium as they had in previous years at The Frank until late in the second quarter when Senior WR Blaise Brown (8) reeled in a beautiful pass from Ashley for a 40 yard TD with one minute left in the half.  At halftime, the score was Lassiter 35 - Cherokee 14.  
Coach Shaw challenged the team at halftime and when they came out in the second half it became apparent that they had accepted the challenge.  After a couple series in the third Cherokee started the comeback with a 70 yard TD pass to Brittain Brown (28) from Ashley (4) to make the score Lassiter 35 - Cherokee 21 with 7:45 left in the 3rd.  After another fumble by Cherokee, Lassiter had the ball deep in Cherokee territory looking to score and deflate Cherokee's momentum.  The defense was playing exceptionally well in the second half and with their backs against the wall Senior CB Devon Mercer (17) intercepted a Lassiter pass in the end zone to stop the drive and turn momentum again back toward Cherokee.  
Two and a half minutes later Johnston (5) punched it in from 2 yards out to make the score Lassiter 35 - Cherokee 28 with 1:05 left in the third quarter.
Lassiter wrestled away momentum again with with a TD run at 10:52 left in the game.  Cherokee never quit this evening though and continued to fight hard and with 4:32 left in the game Ashley (4) found Junior WR Andrew Harris (10) for a 20 yard TD pass and suddenly Cherokee is down 7.  
The Warrior defense was beyond impressive in the second half holding Lassiter to one score, multiple sacks and hard hits throughout.  They would be called upon to do it again late in order to give the ball back to the offense.  Lassiter got the ball and held onto it until just under two minutes and on 4th down Lassiter had to punt.  Lassiters long snapper launched the ball over the punters head and the punter had to fall on the ball giving Cherokee the ball just in Lassiter territory.  Then with :42 seconds left Ashley (4) found Harris (10) for a 20 yard TD pass to bring Cherokee within one.  After a delay of game penalty pushed the attempt back Cherokee missed the point after.  The Warriors then attempted an onside kick, but after Lassiter covered it up, they escaped with a narrow win and a heartbreaking loss for the Warriors.
Post game comments from Coach Shaw to the boys are for the boys and won't be repeated here other than to say that Coach Shaw is building a program that has players believing in themselves and their coaches.  They did not quit this evening and even though it was a loss that had many of them glossy eyed, these are the games that a 1-9 team from last year can walk away with their heads up.  Coach Shaw and his staff are building a team that is physical, talented and a blast to watch.  They play in a division with the big boys and next week another huge battle at Home with Walton who beat Woodstock 47 - 40 friday night and is (2-2).
Come out and support the Warriors, they are well worth the price of admission.