Eagles Outlast Warriors 40-27 in Region 5-6A Rivalry Showdown

Friday night featured Cherokee County’s oldest rivalry as the Etowah Eagles and Cherokee Warriors squared off in a key Region 5-6A matchup. The two programs have a long and storied history, and this chapter delivered plenty of drama, with Etowah pulling away late to secure a rivalry win.

The Eagles struck first when Kingston Caesar powered in for an opening touchdown run, giving Etowah a 7-0 lead with 8:25 left in the first quarter. Cherokee responded just minutes later, as Brandon Hamilton broke free for a 56-yard touchdown rush to tie the game at 7-7. Late in the quarter, Etowah attempted a fake punt but fumbled behind the line to gain, giving possession back to Cherokee. The first quarter ended tied 7-7.

In the second quarter, Etowah’s defense flipped the momentum. Phoenix Caesar jumped a route and returned an interception for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 14-7 advantage. Later in the half, quarterback Zeke Douglass added a long touchdown run, pushing the lead to 21-7 at halftime.

Douglass struck again in the third quarter, this time on another rushing score, as Etowah built a 28-7 lead with 4:29 left in the period. But Cherokee wasn’t finished. Hamilton answered with his second rushing touchdown of the night, cutting the deficit to 28-14. The Eagles carried that margin into the fourth quarter.

Etowah extended its lead when Frank Schuster connected on a 40-yard field goal early in the fourth, making it 31-14. The Warriors answered immediately, as quarterback Jack Ruban found the end zone on a 67-yard touchdown reception, pulling Cherokee within 31-21 with 11:26 left. Schuster added another field goal, this one from 35 yards, to stretch the lead to 34-21 with 4:31 to play.

Cherokee made it interesting late when Tory Hearn scored on a rushing touchdown with 1:37 remaining, though the blocked PAT left the score at 34-27. The Warriors got one last chance, but Etowah’s defense closed it out in dramatic fashion. Walker Hughes picked off a pass on the final play of the game and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown, sealing a 40-27 victory for the Eagles.

The win gave Etowah bragging rights in Cherokee County’s oldest rivalry and an important step forward in the Region 5-6A race.