Cherokee County Football Preview: Claw vs. Paw: Creekview Looks to Slow Down High-Octane Houston County

Scouting the Bears

The Houston County Bears enter the postseason having tied the best regular-season record in school history with nine regular season wins. Under head coach Jeremy Edwards, the Bears have established remarkable consistency—winning at least eight games in each of his four seasons and advancing to the quarterfinals twice. This year’s group averages 38.8 points per game with a balanced attack fueled by 208.9 passing yards and 183.6 rushing yards per outing.

Quarterback Ryan Maxwell has thrown for 2,069 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing nearly 65% of his passes. Star receiver M.J. Mathis has delivered a massive season with 51 catches for 991 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Jeffrey Thomas (33 receptions–309 yards –3 TDs) and Jordan Perkins (21 receptions – 207 yards) provide strong support. Colin Anderson powers the ground game with 1,022 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, complemented by Austin Stinson’s 481 yards and four scores.

Defensively, the Bears allow just 19.1 points per game and have forced 17 turnovers, including 10 interceptions. Senior linebackers Westen Ard (115 tackles, 15 TFLs, 5 sacks) and Jase Jordan (108 tackles, 6 sacks) anchor a unit that has generated 21 sacks and one shutout on the year.

Scouting the Grizzlies

Creekview returns to the playoffs after a one-year absence, rallying from an 0–3 start to win two of its last three games and secure a postseason berth. The Grizzlies rely heavily on the ground game, averaging 187.1 rushing yards per contest. Running backs Carson Lott (646 yards, 6 TDs), quarterback Alex Penrod (536 yards, 6 TDs), and Travis Vines (330 yards, 3 TDs) provide a three-headed rushing attack.

Penrod and Landon Barnes split time at quarterback—Penrod has thrown for 672 yards and seven touchdowns, while Barnes has added 331 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson Shirley leads the receiving corps with 375 yards and five scores, followed by Austin Penrod (212 yards) and tight end Derrick Mizysak (109 yards).

Defensively, Creekview allows 22.6 points per game. Penrod (92 total tackles), J.D. Russell (71 tackles, team-high 3 INTs), and Landon Parker (69 total tackles) lead the way, while Carter Cundy (14.5 TFLs, 3 sacks) and do-it-all standout Mason Munn contribute impact plays across the field.

Keys to Victory

Houston County Bears

1. Attack the Secondary Early: Creekview has improved defensively, but Houston’s passing game—with Mathis leading the charge—can create mismatches immediately. Jumping out to an early lead forces Creekview away from its run-first identity.

2. Control the Middle With Their Linebackers: Ard and Jordan are elite at diagnosing run plays. If they limit Lott, Penrod, and Vines on early downs, Creekview’s offense becomes one-dimensional.

3. Avoid Turnovers and Win the Possession Margin: Creekview’s best chance is shrinking the game. Houston must protect the ball and avoid giving the Grizzlies extra possessions or short fields.

Creekview Grizzlies

1. Lean on the Run to Shorten the Game: The Grizzlies need long, clock-burning drives to keep Houston’s explosive offense sidelined. A 40-carry night between Lott, Penrod, and Vines isn’t out of the question.

2. Limit Explosive Plays Downfield: Houston thrives on chunk plays in the passing game. Creekview must keep everything in front, force long drives, and avoid 40–50 yard backbreakers.

3. Win Third Down and Red Zone Situations: Stopping Houston between the 20s is one thing—holding them to field goals is another. Creekview must be efficient in high-leverage moments to stay within reach.

Pundit's Pick

Creekview’s secondary will face a major test against one of the state's top passing duos, but they’ve seen comparable athletes against Sprayberry and Sequoyah. For Creekview to stay in this game, they must control tempo and lean on their ground game. Houston County, meanwhile, will look to dictate pace and overwhelm down the stretch. We expect Creekview to compete for three quarters, but Houston County’s firepower should ultimately prove too much.

Prediction: Houston County by 21.