Can Cherokee’s Rising Stars Top North Paulding’s Senior Powerhouse Ground Game

Scouting the Warriors

The Cherokee Warriors were involved in a barnburner last Friday but fell just short in a back-and-forth battle. Despite the loss, the Warriors’ offense showed it can produce at a high level, racking up 459 yards of total offense. Freshman quarterback Zack Parker threw for a career-high 296 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Brandin Hamilton rushed for 155 yards. Jack Ruban had a career night with 13 receptions for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Gaylon Sandersadded 6 catches for 105 yards and a score.

Cherokee has been balanced this season, averaging 163.8 passing yards and 179.3 rushing yards per game. Parker leads the air attack, completing 56.1% of his passes for 516 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Ruban leads the receiving corps with 24 catches for 339 yards and 4 touchdowns. Hamilton has emerged as one of the top running backs in the county, totaling 506 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, and three 100-yard games. On defense, Trenton Barnett (32 tackles), Kayson Simmons (26 tackles), and Brooks Adams (20 tackles) anchor the unit.

Scouting the Pack

North Paulding enters region play on the heels of a big win over county rival South Paulding. The Wolfpack average 36.7 points per game while allowing just 12.7 points. Senior quarterback Tyler Niehr has been dynamic, but it’s the ground game that has carried North Paulding, averaging 255 rushing yards per game alongside 184.3 passing yards.

The Pack have already topped 1,000 rushing yards as a team, led by a three-headed backfield of James Skelly (353 yards, 5 TDs), Brycen Morris-Martinez (351 yards, 5 TDs), and Khalil Harrell (273 yards, 1 TD). Niehr has thrown for 709 yards and 4 touchdowns with no interceptions, spreading the ball to 13 different receivers. Defensively, the Wolfpack have sacked quarterbacks 15 times, led by Grant Henderson (4 sacks), while the secondary has added 4 interceptions and 5 total turnovers.

Keys to Victory

Cherokee Warriors

• Establish the run with Brandin Hamilton to keep North Paulding off balance.

• Get consistent pressure on Tyler Neihr to disrupt the Wolfpack’s passing game.

• Take advantage of turnovers and explosive plays in the passing game from Ruban and Sanders.

• Limit big plays by North Paulding’s rushing trio to stay competitive.

  
  

North Paulding Wolfpack

• Control the clock with a balanced rushing attack from Skelly, Morris-Martinez, and Harrell.

• Protect Niehr to keep the passing game effective and prevent negative plays.

• Apply consistent pressure on Parker to force mistakes from the freshman quarterback.

• Maintain defensive discipline to contain Cherokee’s passing and rushing threats.

Pundit's Pick

Expect both teams to focus on establishing the run this week. Cherokee’s freshman quarterback is gaining confidence, and the Warriors should be able to keep pace offensively. However, North Paulding’s senior leadership and experience at key positions may ultimately prove the difference.

Prediction: Wolfpack by 16.