Cherokee vs. Marietta: Warriors Face Another Major Test Against Surging Blue Devils

Scouting the Warriors

The Warriors put together their best offensive performance of the season in last week's victory, piling up 430 yards of total offense. Sophomore quarterback Zack Parker led the way, completing 60% of his passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown. Sophomore receiver Josiah Bobb had a breakout performance, catching eight passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Gardner added five receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Cherokee also established the run game, rushing for a season-high 152 yards in the victory. Through three games, the Warriors are averaging 187 yards per game through the air and 107 yards per game on the ground.

The Cherokee backfield appears to finally have its full complement of players, as Tory Hearn saw his first action of the season last week. Dez Murphy has paced the Warriors with 141 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Micah Spear has added 68 yards.

Defensively, Jaxson Hearn and Trent Barnett continue to lead the way. Hearn has recorded 29 total tackles, while Barnett has 27. Hearn also leads the team with seven tackles for loss.

Marietta Blue Devils

The Marietta Blue Devils pulled off one of the biggest upsets of Week 3, holding on to defeat McEachern by two points. The Blue Devils could be on the brink of a special season in head coach Cameron Duke's second year at the helm.

Marietta's senior-laden offense appears to be finding its groove. The Blue Devils are averaging 206.7 yards per game through the air and 144 yards per game on the ground through the first three games.

Senior quarterback Jayden Whiteside has thrown for 611 yards and six touchdowns. His top targets have been Brody Archie, who has 11 receptions for 214 yards and three touchdowns; Jackson Nesmith, with 12 receptions for 200 yards and two touchdowns; and Isaac Copeland, who has 12 receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns.

Titus Grant provides plenty of balance in the running game. Grant is a punishing back who runs well between the tackles but has also shown the ability to break away from defenders for big plays.

Defensively, Marietta is allowing 23 points per game and has held its previous two opponents to fewer than 20 points.

Keys to the Game

Cherokee Warriors

• Contain Titus Grant: Cherokee will have to find a way to slow down Marietta's physical running back.

• Pressure Whiteside: The Warriors cannot allow Whiteside to sit comfortably in the pocket and pick apart the secondary.

• Continue the offensive growth: Cherokee's young offense has improved each week and will need another step forward.

• Get the young receivers involved: Bobb and Gardner have shown they can make plays, and Cherokee will need them to continue producing against a talented Marietta defense.

Marietta Blue Devils

• Control the line of scrimmage: Marietta will look to establish its physical style early.

• Feed Grant: A strong running game will take pressure off Whiteside and force Cherokee to commit defenders to the box.

• Take advantage of experience: The Blue Devils' senior-laden roster gives them an advantage in a game like this.

• Limit explosive plays: Cherokee showed last week that its young offense is capable of making big plays through the air.

Pundit's Pick

This will be the most difficult challenge to date for the Warriors. Marietta will likely be the most physical team Cherokee has faced this season, and the Warriors' defense will have to find a way to contain Titus Grant. Jayden Whiteside has also shown the ability to make plays with his legs, which only complicates matters for the Cherokee defense.

Meanwhile, this Cherokee offense continues to grow up each week. The Warriors will need to take another big step forward, particularly from their young receiving corps, if they hope to pull off the upset. Cherokee has shown plenty of improvement, but Marietta's experience and physicality are likely to be too much for the Warriors this week.

Prediction: Marietta by 18